What are the negative beliefs associated with hookah bars/lounges?

Answers:

I think the biggest negative stereotype people link hookah bars with are drugs. Many people, especially parents, consider them to be a lead in for young people to start experimenting with illegal narcotics. Also the use of hookah pipes themselves have come under criticism, as I have read that they can cause several health problems later on in life, such as esophageal and lung cancer, and are not considered to be a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. I have also heard people refer to hookah bars as being "seedy", but they didn't really go into specifics. They also seem to be a target of politicians as of late, as many want more regulations placed on them.

I've never been to a hookah bar myself, so I can't give a first hand description personally...but this is what I have heard and read about hookah bars over the last couple of years.

Answer 2:

there are a few negative beliefs that i have heard:

1) the smoke is bad for you. this is true, of course. smoke is smoke, and if you inhale it, chances are its not good for you. however, many people think its not as bad as cigarettes. this is very debateable (but most people who are against it say hookah is jsut as bad, if not worse)

2) people associate hookah with illegal drugs. you actually smoke shisha out of hookahs which is just tobacco, and therefore legal!

3) age. you have to be 18 to purchase and smoke tobacco legally. but since its a quickly growing fad, youngsters are beginning to hop on the hookah train.

Thats all ive really heard. but i love hookah too so we rock.