The government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health (MOH), has announced a ban on the importation and sale of shisha as part of measures to fight substance abuse in Liberia.
Explainer By: Ralitsa Massah, Intern Researcher
The directive announced by the Ministry on August 20, 2023, completely banned the smoking of shisha both in public and private facilities, including bars, drinking spots, and homes.
According to the MOH, shisha is often misperceived as harmless, but it contains dangerously high levels of Nicotine and Carcinogens, placing Liberia’s youth at extreme risk of cancer, heart disease, and lifelong addiction.
In this explainer, we will tell you what shisha really is, the misconceptions, and the hidden health risks associated with smoking it.
What is Shisha?
Shisha (also called hookah) is a water pipe used to smoke flavored or unflavored tobacco. Smoke passes through water before it is inhaled via a hose and mouthpiece. Shisha originated in ancient Persia and India, but today, waterpipe smoking can be found around the world.
Shisha smoking has become a popular social activity because it is a communal experience where people gather, share stories, and bond over a hookah pipe, creating a relaxed atmosphere among shisha smokers.
Common Misconceptions about Shisha
The perception that shisha is less harmful than cigarettes has been a very widespread view. Many believe that bubbling tobacco smoke through water makes it safe.
However, the facts contradict these assumptions. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), smoking hookah has many of the same health risks as smoking cigarettes.
Health Effects of Shisha Smoking
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory note on waterpipe tobacco smoking, research consistently shows that waterpipe smoke contains harmful toxicants – similar to those found in cigarettes – that cause diseases such as cancer. Evidence further indicates that many of these toxicants are absorbed by users and can be detected in their breath, blood, and urine.
Evidence also suggests that waterpipe tobacco smoking is likely linked to oral, esophageal, and lung cancers, and may be associated with gastric and bladder cancers. Studies further indicate connections to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, periodontal disease, low birth weight, perennial rhinitis, male infertility, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and negative impacts on mental health.
The WHO further explained that nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive, and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types or subtypes of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. It revealed that every year, more than 8 million people die from tobacco use, and that most tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, which are often targets of intensive tobacco industry interference and marketing.
Meanwhile, the CDC says using a hookah to smoke tobacco poses serious health risks to both the people who are smoking and those exposed to the smoke. Additionally, People who smoke hookah may be at risk for some of the same health effects as people who smoke cigarettes, including some types of cancer and reduced lung function.
Conclusion
In conclusion, shisha smoking is toxic, addictive, and harmful. It is not a harmless social activity as perceived. It exposes users to toxic chemicals and contributes to life-threatening illnesses. Water does not make it safe; a single session can deliver an enormous volume of smoke and high levels of dangerous chemicals. The Government of Liberia’s ban is consistent with public health evidence and global guidance aimed at protecting youth, reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and limiting secondhand exposure.
Health authorities have warned that shisha smoking carries significant and potentially severe health risks, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and increased infectious disease transmission. It should be considered a major public health concern. This is why public awareness remains crucial so that Liberians can understand that shisha is not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
