Are Shisha Pens Safe When Compared To a Traditional Shisha?

Shisha pen also commonly known as shisha sticks, e-shisha, electronic  hookahs or e-hookahs are becoming one of the most popular trends now a days especially among  young adults. The main reason for its increasing popularity is due to the experience it has to offer its users that is the same as any traditional shisha but without the smelly smoke and harmful chemicals that a traditional shisha may have. It has been stated by many shisha manufacturers that these shisha pen pose lesser health risks when compared to a traditional shisha.

But before we can actually determine if a shisha pen is safer than a traditional shisha we would need to understand how a shisha pen works.

·         The workings of a shisha pen:

An electronic shisha pen is a device that is operated by a battery just like an electronic cigarette. It contains an atomizer which is heated up as soon as a smoker inhales from it. The heated atomizer then heats up the e-liquid that is in the shisha stick therefore changing it into vapours which are then inhaled by the user. A shisha pen user has a choice to either purchase a rechargeable shisha pen or a disposable one, both offering different variety of flavours for its users.

·         Contents of a shisha pen:

The main ingredient that is used in a shisha pen e-liquid is the flavouring of fruits which are mainly herbal, vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and water. Both substances glycerine and propylene glycol are known to be non-toxic components and are also known to be found in many different products that are used every day.

·         Can shisha pensbe toxic?

Most shisha pens are known to not contain any kind of toxic compounds such as arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide and any other cancer creating chemical that are otherwise present in traditional shishas.

Due to these toxic compounds found in traditional shishas, smokers are more likely exposed to serious kinds of diseases such as heart diseases, respiratory illnesses and many different forms of cancers. Not only is it dangerous for the person smoking a traditional shisha but it is also dangerous for those around him, as these people might be breathing in all the toxic fumes coming out of the traditional shisha putting them equally in a health risk situation as well; the same concept of being a second hand smoker or a passive smoker.

An electronic shisha pen,on the other hand, does not emit any kind of dangerous smoke therefore producing neither a risk at all for the inhaler nor for the people around him.Plus, unlike a traditional shisha there is no nasty smell. Due to this there is no specific law that states that users of shisha pen cannot smoke shisha pen indoors or in public places.

However, it is still highly advisable that before purchasing a shisha pen one should always check the ingredients for any unhealthy chemicals or toxins that might have been added.

 

·         Are shisha pens safe?

Common sense dictates that inhaling vapours that are produced from ingredients which are non-toxic is a much better alternative when compared to inhaling smoke which may contain up to 4000 different harmful chemicals. However, at the same time it should be kept in mind that an electronic shisha pen is a very new product in the market therefore there have been no proper studies and tests carried out for any long term health issues.

Even though it has been acknowledge that in the long run shisha pen may be much cheaper compared to an electronic cigarettes (as electronic shishas provides its users with 600 plus puffs which is way higher than what an electronic cigarette may provide) they still are very new in the market therefore do not have a high demand when compared to electronic cigarettes.

Are Electronic Shisha Pens Safe?

Electronic cigarettes, electronic shisha pens and vapes all are the rage in the smoking market. And while they may all have different names, these smoking devices provide users with pretty much the same purposes.

Due to their recent entry into the smoking market, not a lot is known about these products, so it is often a valid question to interrogate the safety of shisha pens. To answer this question people would need to understand what an electronic shisha pen is, how it works and what it contains.

For starters, an electronic shisha pen is an electronic device used for smoking purposes and one that helps in delivering nicotine hits to the user in the form of vapours. However, unlike traditional smoking products it does not contain any tobacco inside, and there is no harmful smoke coming out of the electronic shisha pen.

All types of shisha pens contain three main components in them, which are 

·         A battery which is either rechargeable or replaceable

·         An atomizer which is a heating element used to heat the e-liquid that is in the shisha pen

·         And finally the e-liquid cartridge.

The e-liquid cartridge in the rechargeable shisha pen can be replaced just like its battery. These e-liquid cartridges contain flavoured liquid which when heated up turns into vapours. Some of these e-liquids contain nicotine but that is not always the case. It depends on the user of the shisha pen whether he prefers to smoke it with or without nicotine.

As none of the shisha pens include any harmful substances that traditional smoking products may contain such as tobacco, carbon monoxide or tar, they are known to be a much safer alternative to smoking than any of the conventional products. The basic idea behind using a shisha pen is not only helping smokers avoid the dangerous substances that they may inhale while smoking a traditional product, but also assist them to quit smoking.

Are shisha pens the same as a traditional shisha?

One might get confused by the name but remember that both these products are entirely two different things. A traditional shisha includes the burning of charcoal that is used to burn the tobacco in it. As for the smoke that comes out of the burning tobacco, it is then passed through a container filled with water. The only thing similar in the two products is that they both use a large variety of different flavours.  However, as for a traditional shisha, tobacco is included in it while smoking, whereas in a shisha pen only nicotine is used and that also merely by choice, if the user wishes it so.

In the past few years the smoking of traditional shisha has become quite popular especially with the younger generation, with many believing that it is a much safer alternative to smoking a cigarette.  This, however, is not the case at all. The use of a traditional shisha for about an hour is equal to approximately 200 to 300 puffs of a cigarette, therefore proving that shisha in fact is more harmful than a cigarette.

This is why electronic shisha pens have gained ground are have become to be known as better and safer alternatives to smoking both traditional cigarettes and shisha.

Now that we know an electronic shisha pen is a comparatively safer alternative to traditional smoking, what does the law state for using a shisha pen?

Since an electronic shisha pen contains no tobacco or any other harmful toxins, it is allowed to be used in various public areas where normally traditional smoking products would be banned. This includes locations like public transport or at a restaurant.

However, it should be kept in mind that purchasing a shisha pen is still prohibited for people below the age of 18, not recommended for pregnant women or others who are suffering from different kinds of lung or breathing diseases.

What Makes an Electronic Shisha Pen Work?

Shisha pen is just like an electronic cigarette which is operated by using a battery that is used to heat up the e-liquid inside it. The heating triggers the e-liquid to vaporize which can then be inhaled thus providing almost the same experience as a normal shisha would. The e-liquid used within the shisha pen is responsible for the smoking experience, lending it flavor.

There are three main components involved in the smoking experience which include the water that helps in the vaporizing process, nicotine which can be an optional choice and the use of artificial flavors of the smoker’s choice. A shisha pen is also referred to as an electronic hookah.

·         Makings of an electronic shisha pen

As the name states its shape resembles a pen. The shisha pen contains two main parts; the first being the battery operated component and the other being the chamber that fills up the liquid. Most shisha pens have a refilling option, while the battery is chargeable either by a plug in or a USB charger.

·         Benefits of using a shisha pen

A shisha pen is just like a traditional shisha. A traditional shisha mainly uses the process of burning charcoal to heat the tobacco and flavours. This mixture is then passed through water in the form of vaporization into a pipe which the user uses to inhale. However, a traditional shisha burns charcoal, thus producing carbon monoxide during the process. This in itself, when inhaled or exhaled can be extremely noxious and detrimental to health.

On the other hand the liquid present in a shisha pen is vaporized when passed through the heating element which is battery operated. As the liquid is vaporized instead of burnt, there are no toxins produced through this mechanism.

Another point in favour of the shisha pen is that the shisha pen being compact, is easy to take around with you when compared to a traditional shisha. 

Yet another important factor that needs to be kept in mind is that smoking traditional shisha carries all the health hazards associated with cancer but smoking shisha pen is devoid of any such toxic threat. Cancer is usually triggered due to prolonged exposure to either tobacco or tar but since neither is present within an electronic shisha pen, the health risk is minimal. And lastly it is much easier to prepare a shisha pen compared to a traditional shisha.

·         Using a shisha pen

It is extremely easy to use a shisha pen as all that one needs is the e-liquid of their choice depending on which flavour they want. While choosing the e-liquid keep in mind the each e-liquid contains different levels of nicotine within it. But for those smokers who do not wish to have nicotine in their shisha pen can also choose from the non-nicotine liquid that may only contain flavours. A shisha pen user can choose from a variety of different flavors but some of the more popular choices include chocolate, mint, cappuccino, coffee or the soda flavors. Since there is no restriction on the usage of shisha pen it can easily be used anywhere.

·         A word of caution

Even if these shisha pens are much safer when compared to normal shisha, you should always use some level of caution when using them. Keep in mind that the liquid should always be stored in a cool dry place where there is no exposer to direct sunlight. Moreover, whenever buying liquid, it is always advisable to by a bottle which has specified base ingredients and nicotine levels. Keep in mind that a bottle may contain from 0mg to 24mg of nicotine within a liquid container. While 0mg means no nicotine at all, 24mg is the level of nicotine that is mostly used by normal smokers.

Teens and Shisha Pens

Teens have a knack for picking things up that are trendy around the market and shisha pens are no exception. So have you ever heard you teenaged kids talking about a shisha pen? Or how about a hookah pen, hookah stick or e-shisha or vape pens? Vaping is the action of smoking one.

Even though all these devices have varying names, they all are one and the same. Shisha pens are supposed to be convenient, slick, portable, favourable and colorful e-cigarette devices which are becoming extremely fashionable with teens across the globe. Cigarettes are infamous for causing cancer related diseases while drugs are illegal, but nowadays teen are finding new ways to bypass both the unacceptable as well as the unhealthy with using more and more shisha pen.

So the question arises

·         Why are teens so drawn to these shisha pens?

Many shisha pens have zero levels of nicotine in them; not like cigarettes or e-cigarettes, nor do they have tar or tobacco within them. In other words they have been marketed as extremely safe to use. These shisha pens contain flavors with vegetable glycerin, propylene glycerin and simple water; common ingredients that are found in various edibles and other products. 

Moreover, the flavors offered with these shisha pens are very seductive and tempting such as cotton candy, chocolate, energy, bubble gum, berries, mint and Boston crème pie among many others. They are cheap, disposable, and no maintenance or cleaning is required while or after using them.

·         Are these shisha pens safe for teens?

It has been established that compared to cigarettes these shisha pen are very safe and even risk free due to the ingredients in them. Plus they are also being advertised in this way. But keep in mind that there isn’t enough proof if shisha pens are as safe as they state to be, simply because there just isn’t enough data regarding it.

Both propylene glycol and glycerin are known to be very common in food products as well as beauty supplies but, there haven’t been any studies regarding these two products being inhaled in the lungs. As shisha pens have not been there for too long and are relatively a new product in the market, further evidence is still needed to certify their safety.

·         Can it be addictive?

As most shisha pens don’t have nicotine in them, it is highly unlikely that they are addictive but may become a habit. The worry here is that this may lead teenagers to start smoking traditional cigarettes later on. So on the flip side, instead of helping people quit smoking, they might just be encouraging the new generation to start smoking instead.

·         Can anyone purchase a shisha pen?

So far, there are still laws in most areas that state that teens below 18 years of age are not allowed to purchase shisha pens even if they are labeled nicotine and tobacco free. These shisha pens are still categorized as tobacco products in most areas across the globe. And as they are a new product in the market it is still unclear whether they are dangerous or safe to use. Therefore it is still highly debatable whether shisha pens should or should not be sold to teens younger than 18 years of age.

But one thing that has come forward is that these shisha pen are very easy and cheap to purchase. They are being sold on the internet with extremely affordable price tags, and there has already been a huge investment within this industry with celebrities picking up the trend. It should not be a wonder to see many underage youngsters gain easy access to shisha pens.