Hookahs hit the mainstream

by Neil Shenai October 07, 2005

If you're a college student, you have probably been bombarded by the propaganda and allure of smoking of all different kinds. While the effects of smoking can range from a nicotine-induced buzz to ravenous stupor instead of finding gainful employment, the recent emergence of nargiles -- or more colloquially, hookahs -- has been as widespread as it is perplexing.

To understand where the hookah stands today, it helps to understand where it began. Originating in Asia Minor some 500 years ago, the hookah first came about in the rich culture of Islam. It is speculated that the nargile was a tool to foster fraternity and understanding among those who partake, much as it does today.

Functionally, the hookah is a perfect combination of practicality and elegance. In short, the hookah filters smoke through a liquid, providing a relatively calm pull, especially compared to conventional forms of tobacco smoking, namely the cigarette. The smoked tobacco is flavored with molasses in a mixture called shisha. This shisha is packed into a bowl, which, in turn, is covered in a layer of foil. The foil is topped with a burning ember or coal. The aspirated pull of the smoker through a hose ignites the shisha that connects to the base, in which the filtering substance, often water, liquor or for the truly adventurous, milk, is housed. In sum, this grand cascade is a clean inhalation of sweetened delight.

While the above might seem intimidating, many hookah smokers find the upkeep of their nargile to be one of the most fun aspects of the smoking experience. Be sure to not over-pack the bowl, leaving enough space between the burning coal and the shisha itself. Finding the optimal amount of water to put in the base is also essential. This only comes from practice Nonetheless, a good rule of thumb for the base is about two-thirds full. Moreover, the importance of cleaning the hookah cannot be overstated. A thorough washing every two to three uses is imperative. Finding the ideal conditions for your hookah can seem like a daunting task, but its benefits more than outweigh its costs. Finally, to ensure the longevity of your tobacco, be sure to refrigerate it between uses.

According to a junior who preferred to be called Jennings, "Being a liberal internationalist, I firmly stand by the belief that economic interdependence leads to democracy. Purchasing nargila supplies is not only fun, but it's morally imperative to the people of hookah-producing countries."

So, once you have set up your hookah, bearing in mind the above caveats, it is time to begin smoking. Be sure to follow the rules of hookah etiquette, which include never lighting a cigarette on the burning coals and never smoking anything else other than tobacco. In short, don't be a jerk, and you should be fine. This includes refraining from hogging the hookah hose. My friends and I follow the rule of "puff, puff, pass."

Many hookah fans like to talk about the diminished health concerns of smoking shisha through a hookah as opposed to cigarettes. While it is true that shisha tobacco has no added nicotine and a zero percent tar content, make no mistake about it -- smoking hookah is a risk to your health. Relative to other forms of tobacco, however, it is admittedly smaller. Even so, if the negative effects of smoking at all concern you, limit or outright abstain from hookah smoking.

So, by now you are probably wondering where you can get your hands on a hookah of your own. If you are ever in a last-minute bind for hookah supplies, the University Mini Mart at St. Paul and 33rd Streets sells coals, shisha and hookahs themselves. The Zeeba Lounge in Federal Hill is also an authentic hookah bar. Many on-campus groups, such as the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, have hookahs as well.

In sum, the popularity of hookahs is well deserved. They provide the often-necessary social lubricant that fosters true conversation among all of those who smoke.