Daily Times

Sir: Just like cigarette smoking, shisha is hazardous to health. The fallacy that one does not get addicted to shisha smoking has increased its use in Pakistan. Shisha contains tobacco and therefore nicotine. Nicotine reaches the brain within ten seconds of inhalation, making the smoker easily addicted to it. According to research, the withdrawal symptoms of shisha include irritation, fatigue, headache and depression. Shisha smokers are more vulnerable to respiratory diseases then a non-smoker. Though the government has imposed a ban on shisha smoking, there is no following of the law anywhere in the country. One wonders if we are living in a state governed by any government or is it anarchy in disguise waiting to be unveiled at any given moment.

FATIMA QURESHI
Karachi