Long-term health effects Current evidence indicates hookah causes numerous health problems. Hookah smoking is associated with increased risk of several cancers (lung, esophageal, and gastric), pulmonary diseases (impaired pulmonary function, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema), coronary artery disease, periodontal disease, obstetrical and perinatal problems (low birth weight and pulmonary problems at birth), larynx and voice changes, and osteoporosis. Many of the studies to date have methodological limitations, such as not measuring hookah use in a standardized way. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to learn more about the long-term health effects of hookah use and of exposure to hookah smoke. Oral health is also affected, notably dental and periodontal status.
loNg-term health effectS cuRREnt evidEnCe iNDicAtEs Hookah cauSeS NumErous hEAltH pRobleMS. hOoKah sMOking iS assocIAted witH IncreaseD risk Of sEveral cancERs (luNG, EsoPhagEAl, aND gaStric), pUlmoNaRy Diseases (impAIrEd puLmOnAry FunCtion, ChroniC BROnchitIs, and EmphysEma), coroNary Artery diSeaSe, periodONtal DisEaSE, obstetrIcAl and peRiNAtAL ProbLems (LOw bIrtH wEighT and PulmOnaRy ProbLEms at Birth), LarynX and voICE chAnges, aNd osteoporOSIs. MAny of the StUdies to datE haVE methodolOgical limiTATIons, sUCH aS nOT mEaSuRing hOokaH use in A sTaNdArDiZed WaY. larger, longitUdinal stUdies aRe needEd To lEarn moRe abouT ThE loNG-term health effeCtS of hoOkaH use AnD Of ExpoSuRE to hookah smoke. oral heAlth iS aLSo AFFectEd, notably DEntAl and peRIOdontal statUs.