Who would have known that a practiced Middle Eastern tradition would find its way all the way over here to McKinney, Texas?
Hookah lounges are relatively new and they're considered cool. They're a widely common hangout and socializing venue for older teens and college students. Of course, there are disagreements about the health dangers of smoking hookah.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) quotes that smoking hookah “delivers the addictive drug nicotine and is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke.” This statement and ones similar, have parents concerned about their kids’ health as they go off to these lounges.
“I don’t want my daughter smoking that,” says local mom Martha Wilson. “It’s addictive and I don’t want that harming her or becoming a habit.”
But not everyone says it's addictive. Mike Jabary of Jabary’s Hookah Lounge in Richardson disagrees. In the video below this story, you can see him talk about the lack of addiction involved and also shows how to smoke it.
“It is a social thing,” said Jabary. “It is much different than cigarettes because it is not addictive. Because of the mixes of illegal drugs it is hard for older folk to understand that the hookah is a completely different aspect; a different use.” A native of Jerusalem, Mike knows first hand about the traditional uses of hookah.
“Hookah is a traditional Middle Eastern tobacco,” said Jabary. “It has been there for centuries. It is used in coffee shops and get-togethers with friends. And places where friends can be together.”Considering its controversial nature, other opinions concerning hookah and its makeup are in circulation around the community as well.
While McKinney itself does not have any hookah lounges surrounding areas such as Plano, Richardson, and Denton seem to be drawing McKinney kids to their hookah lounges. Because of the tobacco in the product, users of hookah must legally be 18 years of age or older in order to partake.
“Smoking hookah is a great confection tastefully and visually that is so much fun to share with friends,” said McKinney college student Brad Weiler. “It’s a safe substance with which to have relaxing social enjoyment.”
For college students, hookah lounges are becoming a place for socialization. Parallel to a Starbucks or coffee shop, where people can hang out with their friends or even get some homework done, hookah lounges offer the same amenities. Usually decorated with couches and warm colors on the wall, the atmosphere is very relaxing. But instead of drinking coffee while writing a paper, people can smoke hookah. Because hookah does not contain the same type of nicotine that cigarettes and cigars contain, it is believed to be less harmful to the body and simply relaxes its users.
To hear more about hookah, how to make it and its traditional uses, please click the video below where you can watch an interview with Mike Jabary himself.
Jabary’s Hookah Lounge is located in Richardson at 1600 N. Plano Rd Suite 400 Richardson, Texas 75081 and is open from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
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I'm not a big fan of hookah or any other baloney. Time to get down to work and not just hookah around.
I agree with all of the statements posted ... You do have to be 18 and like people who chose to drink at 21 they know what they are exposing their body too. And while I agree that Hookah bars are not terrible places to go at all I think the only issue is that some people feel it is "healthier" than smoking or doesnt contain the harmful agents that smoking does. While the truth is it is as harmful and due to the way it is prepared and smoked creates new dangers. There seems to be a confusion as to what exactly hookah is. Like I said if your 18 and want to smoke hookah then great have a blast just make sure you are not misinformed as to what you are actually putting in your body. Tobacco = nicotine and burning coal = carbon monoxide.
Thank you for posting this article, this has been a very popular subject. First, of all I would like to say when this topic comes up, adults are the first to tackle with negative feedback. To smoke a hookah, you must be 18 years of age, just as for cigarettes. Anyone that is 18 legally is permitted to buy cigarettes in the United States, in which millions of teens that are 18 do so. Secondly, hookah is legally permitted and is not only popular in the Middle East, but is a booming business world wide. Just as Mr. Jabary said, this is for social purposes, just as Americans (18 and older) get together at any smoking permitted facility so to say a bar, or any other place to hang out with friends, co-workers.. etc and smoke. A hookah lounge, is not what some adults, and parents may imagine getting together in a place to just smoke, it's much more, it's a different unique atmosphere. There is beautiful decor, middle eastern music that is played with music videos on large screens, with very unique beats. They also have amazing tea probably the best I ever tried, arabian coffee, belly dancer shows and much more. I smoke hookah, because it's a personal choice, I enjoy trying the different flavors, and like I said I enjoy the fact that it is a different cultural atmosphere. However, I think the real issue behind hookah, is not whether it is worse than cigarettes or not, it is that people in our society are not open to accepting this kind of culture... the middle Eastern culture. I say this, because if parents, and adults are tackling the topic of hookah, why is it that cigarettes themselves are not being tackled. You can buy them at every corner here in the United States, and it has been around for years. For any parent with concerns for their 18 year old that smokes hookah needs to understand that they are permitted to legally smoke it, just like they can go to a convenient store and legally purchase a pack of cigarettes.
he also carries an air filtration unit that completely eliminates certain odors and second hand smoke so people can enjoy the area
Here's a simple notion to help anyone who's struggling with such debate.... IF YOU DON'T SMOKE, DONT WANT TO BE BOTHER BY IT... THEN SIMPLY DON'T GO. I've known mike for years. The man runs a proper business and try's to bring a new cultural atmosphere to the already boring scene. Its a social thing very well respected in the middle east and i feel it could bring some cool vibes to the table. People already smoke cigarettes by the tone, if its thats what your worried about then please turn your attention to the highly successful marlboro company. I've quit smoking after 6 years and it takes mental focus and preparation i still enjoy a nice meal and great company at mikes place. He's family to a lot of people who love and adore a little slice the middle east on our grounds ;)
Hookah smoking involves more nicotine than cigarette smoking because of the massive volume of smoke, smokers inhale during hookah smoking.Hookah tobacco and smoke contain numerous toxic substances known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers.
powder coaters
Thanks Luke for bringing more facts to light.
No opinion just straight facts to make sure that when deciding to partake in hookah or not you at least know what you are putting in your body ! This information if from CDC.gov (centers for disease control and prevention)
While many hookah smokers may consider this practice less harmful than smoking cigarettes, hookah smoking carries many of the same health risks as cigarettes.
- Water pipe smoking delivers the addictive drug nicotine and is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke.
-Due to the mode of smoking—including frequency of puffing, depth of inhalation, and length of the smoking session—hookah smokers may absorb higher concentrations of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.
-A typical 1-hour-long hookah smoking session involves inhaling 100–200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette
-Hookah smokers are at risk for the same kinds of diseases as are caused by cigarette smoking, including oral cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the esophagus, reduced lung function, and decreased fertility
Hookah Smoke and Cancer
-The charcoal used to heat tobacco in the hookah increases the health risks by producing high levels of carbon monoxide, metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.
-Even after it has passed through water, the smoke produced by a hookah contains high levels of toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.
-Hookah tobacco and smoke contain numerous toxic substances known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers.
-Irritation from exposure to tobacco juices increases the risk of developing oral cancers. The irritation by tobacco juice products is likely to be greater among hookah smokers than among pipe or cigar smokers because hookah smoking is typically practiced (with or without inhalation) more often and for longer periods of time.
-Secondhand smoke from hookahs poses a serious risk for nonsmokers, particularly because it contains smoke not only from the tobacco but also from the heat source (e.g., charcoal) used in the hookah.
Hookah lounges are huge in DC. Some serve alcohol but most don't. It's a great way to relax and unwind every once in a while on a Friday night. Like anything, moderation is key.
Those are some bold statements Mr. Jabary - Not addictive? Doesn't include nicotine? Can I see the label on that please? How about tar, carbon monoxide and other known carcinogens? What are the stats on that? I am curious to know more about the 2nd hand smoke stats associated with Hookah bars, and why students believe as Brad stated that this is a "safe substance". Thank you Nikki for shining a light on this phenom happening in our area. Well reported. Keep up the great work!
If you have to be a certain age to buy cigarettes shouldn't there be an age minimum for Hookah lounges?