That tobacco products like e-cigarettes and hookahs have grown in popularity and continue to gain traction especially among young people is a fact supported by research. Many recently published journals say the use of hookah and electronic cigarettes has spiked in recent years because of a number of reasons.
A perceived safer alternative…
For starters, the general perception that these smoking alternatives are safer, with less detrimental health effects compared to traditional cigarettes has been a major selling point. This understanding is further compounded by the fact that hookahs, electronic cigarettes and certain other emerging forms of tobacco products are not currently subject to regulation by bodies like USA’s Food and Drug Administration, FDA.
If you read about hookah online, you soon realize that this water pipe used to smoke flavored tobacco has spawned its own subculture of enthusiasts who consider it a life saver. Reason? Hookah has actually helped some people quit smoking cigarettes after several unsuccessful previous attempts at quitting the addiction.
The social aspect
While both cigarettes and hookah are forms of tobacco smoking, the latter has a social aspect that cigarettes can never match. Let’s face it: smoking areas have a negative ring to them. Having to run to a smoking lounge or booth each time you want to smoke a cigar in town feels somewhat isolative. The same could never be said for hookah bars and lounges which are indeed sprouting in many urban centers today.
Hookah spots are viewed with admiration by smokers and nonsmokers alike. It is common for nonsmokers to sit side by side with those who are smoking hookah inside pubs and clubs, which they rarely do with cigarette smokers.
By nature, those who use the smoking alternatives like hookah frequently come together to simply enjoy time with each other in a social setting. Most of these smokers also have the habit of taking these smoking alternatives along with their preferred juice or cocktail – making the whole activity even more social.
Presentable delivery method
The new delivery methods of hookah and e-cigs have a lot to do with their increasingly normalized use in everyday settings. Because of these rather presentable delivery methods, dozens of enthusiasts are creating and selling juices with corresponding flavors and a range of nicotine levels. These are equally becoming popular.
Appealing looks and flavors
The range of flavors characteristic of the smoking alternatives like hookah tends to be appealing to both the young people and the older grownups. Hookah, in particular, come in a wide range of patterns and colors that most people find alluring even to nonsmokers – especially due to curiosity.
A way to smoke without being labelled a smoker
Some people never smoke cigarettes for fear of the stigma associated with cigarette smell. With alluring scents and flavors instead of the typical cigarette smell, hookahs and such other emerging tobacco products are such a sneaky alternative for those who are curious about smoking, and a perfect means to conceal the habit and escape the stigma.
Final thoughts
Whether or not governments will step in to regulate the use of these emerging tobacco products remains to be seen. Nonetheless, we can expect the growing popularity to continue deep into the unforeseeable future.
