Hookahs continue to gain popularity among students

By Casandra Riddle Staff Writer

Purdue students may not be actively chasing white rabbits through a fairy-tale world, but a rapidly increasing number are taking a cue from the caterpillar and discovering the exotic allure of hookahs.

Jonathan Pappas, a sophomore in the College of Aviation Technology and Cleveland-area native, says both he and his roommate purchased hookahs a year ago after discovering the exotic atmosphere at West Lafayette's cafe Hookah!. "People at home don't know about hookah smoking," says Pappas, "so it's fun to expose them to it."

Hookah! Owner Fadi Boulos takes pride in the fact that he's able to expand people's views by providing them with an authentic Lebanese atmosphere ? complete with Lebanese music and cuisine. Boulos says Hookah! is "like going to the Middle East without leaving town." Boulos is pleased that hookah smoking has become more mainstream at Purdue. Growing up in Lebanon, hookahs were part of everyday life and a relaxing activity. "It's good to experiment with other cultures," said Boulos.

In Lebanon, as well as Turkey, where hookah popularity originated, they're called nargile ? from narcil, a type of coconut that grows commonly in India ? and they've been a part of the culture since around 1623. Early on in hookah history, hookahs were made using hollowed, pierced coconut shells and a straw. As the nargile spread throughout cultures, designs altered to include gourds, porcelain flasks and hoses. The hookah design with which many students are familiar hasn't changed shape in the last few hundred years.

Not that that matters to most hookah aficionados at Purdue. Greg Jenkins, a freshman in the College of Technology, has had his hookah for about two weeks and says his favorite part of owning one is the slight buzz he gets from smoking it. He calls hookah smoking "a good time killer" for those weekend moments when he and his friends are looking to socialize but don't know what to do.

Hookahs aren't going anywhere in the near future. Their expanding popularity in the Lafayette area, as well as their presence in several areas and cultures across the country and world, ensures their position as a fun, social and relaxing activity.