Dr Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, Head of the Tobacco and Substances of Abuse [...] (FDA) says the use of shisha is not an alternative for cigarette and called on the youth to desist from using it.

She said shisha inhalation had become very popular particularly among the youth with the misconception that once the toxins contained in shisha passes over water before it is inhaled, it would be safe devoid of health risks.

“We have aggressively been doing public education for people to know that they are not safer forms. In fact if you inhale shisha in a sitting for an hour, it is equivalent to about 100 cigarettes. It goes directly to the lungs.”