As cigarette bans have proliferated in recent years, hookah lounges have become a popular alternative, in part because the flavored smoke is believed to be less harmful than cigarette smoke. But research suggested otherwise.

Scientists in a study showed that smoking hookahs is more hazardous than smoking and its toxic and poisonous mix can even cause death.

They found that hookah contains noxious, addictive, adulterated and poisonous concoction which is otherwise unfit for human consumption and not even classified as food product and which is likely to cause diseases, disability and death because of the highly toxic, poisonous and gaseous matter.

It is true that in hookahs, also known as water pipes, the smoke often is flavored and filtered through water. The problem is that people who use hookahs typically inhale far more smoke than cigarette smokers, exposing them to potentially higher levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other chemicals.

BMC counsel Anil Sakhare said if the sale of hookahs was to be stopped then the civic body would pass a reasoned order. In case the order went against the restaurants, it would not be acted upon for seven days thereby allowing time for appeal.

Sakhare said though the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act permitted smoking of hookah, the BMC could initiate action if hookahs posed a health hazard.

Scientists also found that each hookah session lasts from 20 to 80 minutes and consists of 50 to 200 puffs. This exposes the hookah smoker to considerably more smoke over a longer period as compared to a cigarette. While the water absorbs some of the nicotine in the tobacco smoke, the smoker can be exposed to enough nicotine to cause addiction.

Most studies show that small water pipes produce the highest levels of carbon monoxide, followed by cigarettes and then large water pipes.