Residents of Kiambu have been advised to stop using flavoured tobacco (Shisha) as it can cause chronic diseases such as cancer that can lead to death since it increases nicotine levels in urine.
Kiambu Level Four Hospital Superintendent Dr David Kariuki, says people should refrain from using Shisha because it has many health hazards which are irreversible.
He cautioned that using the drug for about 30 minutes is equivalent to smoking a packet of cigarette which is risky to human health.
“A typical one-hour session of shisha smoking exposes the users to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette. An expectant mother using Shisha is risking her unborn child’s health because it will be born with breathing difficulties and might also be underweight,” he added.
He urged people to stop using drugs because they contain numerous toxic substances known to cause clogged arteries and heart diseases.
He said the habit also promotes the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis because the pipes used in shisha bars and cafes are in most cases not cleaned properly.
Kariuki urged non-smokers to take precautions as second hand smoke from Shisha poses a serious health risk to them too.