Our youth is heading towards the so called new advance edition of Hukka in the form of Sheesha. Its curvy body, attractive colours and textures, tempting odours, approaching pipe, refreshing varieties of flavour, cool looks and easy availability have made it trendy.
But thats not all about it. There is a dark side of this hip phenomenon as well.
What’s in and what’s out is the question that the youth asks each other and Sheesha is one of the trends that is in. People consuming it are ignoring the fact that though it is in, it is dangerous by all means.
As per the study carried out by medical experts, doctors and medical students of various medical colleges like Allama Iqbal Medical College, it is claimed that Sheesha outlets in the city pose a serious threat to the health of teenagers, especially girls.
This habit, indeed an addiction, was found to be most prevalent in the 16-25 years age group with 70 percent males and 30 percent female Sheesha smokers, according to a study.
It also points out the use of prohibited and addictive substances in more than 30 percent of the Sheesha outlets, either by the owners or youngster themselves. The study says that the habit may result in low fertility rates among girls and may increase the changes of fetal abnormalities (teratogenesis) and a lot of pregnancy problems, posing a major threat to the health of young expectant mothers.
“Just one puff of Sheesha smoke contains more than 5000 active chemicals out of which at least more than 100 are carcinogenic and more than 25 percent have serious addictive potential.”
Most of the tobacco and Sheesha wholesalers of Lahore have their outlets around the Qaddafi Stadium. The Sheesha smoking is going on unchecked in some local parks as their managements were reportedly encouraging it in open space. The report mentions one such park located near Kalma Chowk where teenage boys and girls regularly indulge in this habit. The park, with the permission of Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), offers three open bars which attract many visitors to this injurious activity.
It is associated with heart diseases, stroke, muscle, joints ailments, headache and many also lead to cancers of lips, tongue, mouth, lungs and stomach.
The researchers claim to have surveyed 100 Sheesha outlets located in various areas of the city to compile the data. The study also claims that the business, which initially was confined to posh city areas, is now taking roots in low income localities as well. Many Sheesha outlets have sprung in the streets of the walled city.
It may become a major public health challenge in near future as more and more teenagers are indulging in it. There is a need to bring these outlets under monitoring and supervision of government agencies, like Anti Narcotic Force.
IZZAH JAVED
Lahore
