Shisha smoking increases during Ramadan

Abu Dhabi, June 21: Shisha smoking increases during the holy month of Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with non-smokers also tending to pick up the habit, an expert said on Sunday. “We spend more time in the lively atmosphere of restaurants. As a result, a marked increase in tobacco consumption occurs due to shisha smoking,” Khaleej Times quoted UAE-based Indian doctor Sunil Sheshadri who works at Abu Dhabi’s NMC Healthcare. “Non-smokers too admit to indulging in post-meal shishas as part of the tradition of gathering with friends and family until the early hours.” Warning of ill-effects of smoking sheesha, Joseph Kurian, head of cardiology at Abu Dhabi’s Lifeline Hospital, said: “One session of shisha is equivalent to smoking about one packet of cigarettes (20 sticks) and should not be taken lightly.” (IANS)