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Used in smoking flavored tobacco, a hookah is device that purifies smoke by using a water basin before inhalation. The parts of a hookah are fairly basic and straightforward, yet the craft of constructing hookahs has been perfected over hundreds of years around the Middle East, and the highest quality hookahs continue to be made in this area. Design In the picture you can see the principal components of a hookah. The end of the body is immersed in a water jar through which the smoke produced by burning tobacco passes. The smoke is kept in an air chamber above the water once it is purified by the water. Passing smoke through water cools down the temperature of the smoke and makes it a lot more appropriate for the lungs, which is another beneficial side effect of purifying smoke through water. At the top left section of the water jar in this picture is the hose. It's not fully showed here, but the hose normally stretches 1 or more meters. The smoker puffs on the hose and breathes in the smoker from the air chamber. The smoke blown out by the smoker is neat, thick and aromatic. Hookahs are typically smoked in a social, group setting where smokers can delight in each others’ company. What Do You Smoke Out of a Hookah? Hookahs are generally used to smoke flavored tobacco often called “shisha”. Today the following things are used to prepare shisha: 1. Tobacco 2. Treacle (uncrystallized syrup produced in refining sugar) 3. Honey 4. Sugar 5. Molasses 6. Glycerin 7. Nicotine 8. Dried Fruit 9. Distilled Water Shisha is generally fruit flavor based. But, nowadays most of the well-known manufacturers are experimenting with off-shoots of these fruity flavors, such as Peaches ‘n Cream, or Banana Split. The tobacco flavors have become progressively versatile due to the ease of flavoring in production. Any substance can be mixed in dried tobacco in the production to make unique flavors. Where Did Hookahs Originate From? The word huqqa is an indian word, which is called “hookah” in English. Abul-Fath Gilani who was a Persian physician manufactured the very first hookah in the 1500’s. After growing worried about the health risks of smoking, he produced a system whereby he passed the smoke through a water basin to be able to ‘purify’ it. However, it is said that even before he invented it, hookah existed in other parts of Persia. When it gained popularity in Indian it spread all through Pakistan and Turkey. In turkey, the Turkish elite class swiftly grew fond of hookah and thereon it spread in to Lebanon, Syria and into areas of northern Africa. Nowadays, it is being used in nearly every country of the globe. As the hookah reached different countries, it gathered various names. Nargile (also pronounced Argilee) - Mostly used in Mediterranean nations. Narguile - used in Spain Lula (or lulava) - used in Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina Sheesha - used in Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia Qalyan - used in Iran Karim Khan - used in Russia, Belarus Chillim - used in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Huqqa - used in India and Pakistan Gudugudaa - used in Maldives Marra Pipe - used in the UK Where Can You Buy A Hookah? Hookahs can be purchased in physical stores as well as from online stores. Since the beginning of this century, the number of hookah shops and hookah bars in the U.S. has grown. Those who live in the more populated towns can easily get a hookah shop near them. Unlike much of the Mediterranean nations and Persian Gulf, hookahs have not made their way into the lives of everyday U.S. people. If you're not able to locate a hookah shop or you like to shop from the ease of your home then you can buy a hookah on the net. What Are The Health Hazards Connected with Smoking Hookah? The controversy rages on about whether hookah smoking is less hazardous than cigarette smoking. Inhaling any kind of smoke is detrimental for lungs but the people in favor of hookah say that the smoke is cleaner and as compared to the smoke of a cigarette. Detractors say that hookah contains more harmful toxins in comparison with cigarettes. It has compounds just like tar, carbon monoxide and heavy metals. Another factor is that a hookah session may last as long as 60 minutes and sometimes even longer whereas a cigarette goes for only 3-4 minutes. On the other hand hookah is not as addictive as cigarettes. People smoke hookah once in one week or bi weekly for fun whereas a cigarette smoker smokes cigarettes each day, several times. Hookah Joe is a writer specializing in hookah-related topics. You can check out more of his work at www.hookahdetective.com, where he provides information on hookah topics, like choosing a hookah
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