RHFI Also Wants Kush To Be Banned
Shisha can increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases” says British Heart Foundation.
By Our Staff Writer
Popularized in Liberia in recent years, Shisha is freely being used in bars, nightclubs and other entertainment centers in Liberia, but a rights group has raised alarm pointing to the health risk and has petitioned the Legislature to ban it.
In its petition, a copy of which was sent to www.newsupublictrust.com, the group, Restoring Hope Foundation International (RHHI) headed by Mr. Maxsn Kpakio said:
“In the quest of fighting against this substance which is posing serious future health challenge, several countries across the world have placed a ban on the importation, sale, and consumption of it including, Afghanistan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana, the Gambia and many other countries.”
Rights Activist Maxson Kpakio
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), “Shisha is smoking a heated tobacco smoke which bubbles through a bowl of water and into a long hose-like pipe to be breathed in. Shisha pipes have a mouthpiece fitted to inhale the smoke.”
BHF Shisha is also called hookah, narghile, waterpipe, or hubble bubble. It can increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. Shisha – BHF
The British Heart Foundation says the use of Shisha has serious effects on the heart and circulatory health. “Shisha can increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases because it usually contains harmful chemicals. Sometimes, they are the same chemicals used in cigarette tobacco which is harmful,” the BHF warns.
In its petition, the Liberian rights group is calling on lawmakers to summon the country’s Minister of Health for a hearing on the continuing use of Shisha and another bad substance called called, “Kush” which use has spread in Liberia recently.
Below is FULL TEXT of the RHFI petition to the Legislature:
Petition calling for the banning of the importation, sale and consumption of shisha across Liberia, including the drug known as kush.
We pray that this petition is given a keen attention and consideration as we seek to save lives of this generation and generations to come.
Were as:
The effects of hookah/water-pipe popularly known as shisha smoking on general health and the cardiovascular system.
Were as:
Hookah or water-pipe smoking or use is an emerging trend and it is now spreading across the world including most countries across Africa, including Liberia that did not know about it till most recently. There is a huge misperception of hookah (shisha) being considered less harmful than cigarettes and the availability of different but “appealing”
flavors are considered among the main reasons for this trend. Hookah (Shisha) users however are exposed to many of the same toxic compounds/by-products as cigarette users, but at dramatically higher levels, which might lead to more severe negative health effects. In fact, hookah users are at risks of infections, cancers, lung disease, and other medical conditions. Moreover, because of the overlapping toxicant/chemical profile to conventional cigarettes, hookah smoke effects on the cardiovascular system are thought to be comparable to those of conventional cigarettes.
A major source of tobacco addiction is nicotine, whose levels in hookah are extremely variable as they depend on the type of tobacco used. There are three commonly used types of hookah tobacco, Mouassal, Jurak, and Tumbak, each contains different ingredients.
Were as:
Shisha smoke is toxic. It contains tobacco, and people who use it breathe in cancer-causing chemicals and addictive nicotine. Smoking shisha could at least double your risk of lung cancer. It may also increase the risk of some other cancer types, like mouth and stomach cancers.
Were as:
Significant higher levels of testosterone were found among shisha and cigarette smokers. In addition, heavy shisha
smokers revealed significant higher levels of testosterone than light users.
Were as:
Many factors seem to have promoted hookahs’ spread/use, including but are not limited to perception of “no/less harm” of hookah, social acceptance/less restrictions, accessibility, use of flavored aromatic tobacco, curiosity, peer pressure, fashion, higher socioeconomic status, and need for amusement.
One factor that drastically contributed to the increased hookah use (similarly to e-cigarette use) is the misperception about the health risks. Some users argue that they do not inhale the smoke (keep it in the mouth cavity), therefore protecting themselves from nicotine absorption/addictive effects. However, nicotine could be easily absorbed through the mucosal lining of oral cavity. Furthermore, receiving the attributes of hookah such as socializing, relaxing, and the good taste/smell of the smoke seems to encourage and maintain hookah use. To this end, a recent study conducted on social media found that social events and flavors were among the common contexts and experiences associated with discussions about hookah.
Hookah/Shisha is addictive. Fact, Hookah contains tobacco, which has a naturally occurring chemical know as nicotine.
In the USA, most states do not allow minors (under age 18) to smoke hookah and some states has placed a total ban on the use of hookah/Shisha.
Whereas:
Hookah/Shisha smoking can pose many dangers, Hookah/Shisha smoke has high levels of harmful chemicals. These include tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals called carcinogens. In fact, hookah/Shisha smokers are exposed to more carbon monoxide and smoke than are regular cigarette smokers. Smoking hookah/Shisha while trying to conceive can cause delays or difficulties in getting pregnant.
In the quest of fighting against this substance which is posing serious future health challenge, several countries across the world have placed a ban on the importation, sale, and consumption of it including, Afghanistan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana, the Gambia and many other countries. These nations are not more civilized than Liberia. These nations do not care more for their citizens than Liberia. With the added voice of you, our lawmakers, the future of this generation and generations to come can be secured.
Smoking shisha can lead to problems in your pregnancy. It can also harm a baby in a womb. Smoking shisha can lead to premature birth. Lower birth weight resulting in having a sickly and small baby.
Hon. Chairman on Claims and Petitions, Prince Toles, we pray that you and your colleagues take a deeper look at this matter together with our health practitioners including the minister of health and take our concerns seriously. We would like to have you informed that our medical practitioners are already raising concerns about the next national health crisis which is link to cardiovascular diseases. Something must be done now. In addition to our call for the banning of shisha across Liberia, we are also seeking you and your colleagues blessing in stepping up further against the drug known as KUSH. Including it on the list to place a ban on it across Liberia would serve well for our young people. This generation and possibly generations to come are under serious threat by virtues of these killer substances gaining access in our country. Public smoking although technically have been banned, but unfortunately, people are still engage in public smoking. They are putting us, who are none smokers at serious risk due to passive smoke intake.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the medical report on shisha:
Cardiovascular Risks:
- Elevated Heart Rate and Blood Pressure:
Shisha smoking can lead to a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure, both acutely and potentially long-term.
- Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease:
Studies suggest shisha smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease.
- Reduced Heart Rate Variability:
Shisha smoking can lead to a reduction in heart rate variability, which may contribute to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
- Reduced HDL-cholesterol levels:
Shisha smoking can lead to a reduction in HDL-cholesterol levels, which may exacerbate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Respiratory Risks:
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:Shisha smoking exposes users to high levels of carbon monoxide, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Impaired Lung Function:Shisha smoking can impair lung function and exercise capacity.
- Increased Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):Regular shisha smoking is associated with an increased risk of COPD.
- Increased Risk of Lung Cancer:Shisha smoking is associated with a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
- Other Respiratory Issues:Shisha smoking can also cause chronic rhinitis and other respiratory complications.
Infections:
- Increased Risk of Infections:
Sharing shisha pipes can increase the risk of spreading infections, including tuberculosis, herpes, and hepatitis.
- Increased Risk of Flu, COVID-19:
Sharing shisha pipes can also increase the risk of spreading the flu and COVID-19.
Other Health Risks:
- Cancer:Shisha smoking is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including lung, head and neck, esophageal, gastric, urinary, and bladder cancers.
- Male Infertility:Shisha smoking has been linked to male infertility.
- Periodontal Disease:Shisha smoking can contribute to periodontal disease.
- Premature Labor and Low Birth Weight:Shisha smoking during pregnancy is linked to premature labor and low birth weight babies.
- Second-hand Smoke:Second-hand shisha smoke also poses health risks to those exposed.
Important Considerations:
- Nicotine Addiction:
Shisha smoke contains nicotine, which is highly addictive.
- Toxic Components:
Shisha smoke contains various toxic compounds, including carcinogens, toxins, and heavy metals.
- Water Filtration:
The water in a shisha pipe does not filter out harmful toxins and carcinogens, and the smoke still contains high levels of toxic substances.
- Shisha vs. Cigarettes:Shisha smokers can inhale as much smoke during one session as a cigarette smoker would inhale consuming 100 or more cigarettes.
- Mental Health:
Studies have found moderate association between hookah/Shisha smoking and mental health variables, such as depression, anxiety, and addictive disorders.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the committee on health of the House of Representative do the following in the quest of knowing more about the subject matter leading to making decisions that will be in the interest of the generation now and generations to come.
- That the committee invite the honorable Minister of Health to seek further information relative to our research and findings especially about the effects of shisha in our body organs
- That the committee put a halt on the importation of both kush and shisha related products until a final decision can be made.
- That the committee engage with the ministry of commerce and the ministry of health seeking information as to how shisha related products are being brought into the country.
- That in order for us to continue with our campaign across the country against substance abuse in general, the committee on health and the ministry of health along with their partners empower us so that we can be able to reach out to all communities across Liberia.
- That the committee on health invite the Minister of Health, the Commissioner General of the Immigration service and the Minister of Justice and seek answers relative to the constant used of the Bo-Waterside point of entry of killer substance, kush from Sierra Leone to Liberia. There are additional point of entries that could be looked at as well, including transactions between deep sea larger ships and the small fishing boats.
NB: (We are happy and will always be prepared to serve as witness to stand before you, Hon. Prince Toles and your colleagues and the Minister of Health to expand further)
References:
www.nacada.go.ke
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