Jump to full article: The Independent Online (IOL) (za), 2009-05-11
Author: Sipokazi Maposa
Intro: The Eastern smoking pipes known as hookahs could be potentially more dangerous than cigarettes, researchers say.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has said that hookah smoking could be a major contributor in the transmission of diseases such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and oral herpes infection.
MRC president Professor Anthony Mbewu said the growing practice of using hookahs was a concern.
. . .
Professor Angela Mathee, director of the MRC's Environment & Health Research Unit, said a study in Johannesburg had found smoking hookahs was so widespread and accepted in some communities that children as young as six were doing it.
"I have personally witnessed a two-year-old child smoking a hookah pipe in the presence of his mother.
"I have also seen children as young as six smoking pipes they made from plastic bottles and straws."
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