Hookah smoking originates from the Middle East, while hookahs are also popular in certain Asian cultures. Also called waterpipe tobacco and shisha, hookah has been around since the 16th century.

Flavored tobacco used in hookahs often masks the harsh realities of smoking. These pleasant flavors can make the experience seem less harmful and more appealing, especially to younger users.

Shisha, a flavoured tobacco smoked through a water pipe, has been linked to serious health risks. According to WHO, the smoke inhaled in a typical one-hour shisha smoking session is equal to ...