Hookah smoking banned for some in 379th AEW Published Aug. 8, 2008 By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Southwest Asia -- Several 379th Air Expeditionary Wing members recently suffered medical problems after hookah smoking, which resulted in the practice being banned for some base members. "In the [379th] Expeditionary Operations Group, I've established a policy prohibiting all of my crewmembers from hookah tobacco use," said Col. Marilyn Kott, 379 EOG commander. "The policy includes 379th [AEW] aircrew, air traffic control and air battle managers." All 379th Expeditionary Medical Group members are also banned from hookah smoking, both on or off base due to the risks posed by the practice. Although hookah, or water pipe smoking, has been practiced for hundreds of years and has become popular among military personnel in the area of responsibility, it is not without its dangers. Four Airmen recently suffered light headedness, nausea, headaches and fainting. One of the four had symptoms that were "significantly worse." Also, flight surgeons have removed at least two crewmembers from flying duty, possibly for up to a year, due to seizures after smoking a hookah. "Although we're not sure yet that hookah [smoking] caused the problems, we can't take a chance that any more crewmembers will become so sick," said Colonel Kott. "We just can't afford to have crewmembers removed from flying combat operations for something we might have control over. So, we've implemented a prohibition on hookah until the results of the hookah testing definitively show whether that was our problem." There have been literally hundreds of studies that show the dangers of tobacco smoke, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael Wood, 379 EMDG chief of aerospace medicine. There is a risk of cancer, lung diseases like emphysema, and nicotine addiction. Authorities disagree about how hookah smoking risks compare to normal tobacco use, according to the Springfield, Mo., native. Most agree, however, there are risks and that more research is needed. "Authorities point to the social aspect of the delivery," said Colonel Wood, who deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. "With a normal cigarette they may take a few puffs and snuff it out, or finish one and go about their business. With hookahs they are sitting around talking and using a lot more tobacco than they would if they were taking a quick cigarette break. According to some studies they are also breathing in a little deeper. ... You're getting more of a dose over a longer period of time." The World Health Organization states one hour of hookah smoking is like inhaling 100-200 cigarettes. Medical authorities also point out that since coal or charcoal is often used to heat the tobacco in a water pipe, users are breathing in some of those vapors. "One of the big problems is the much increased levels of carbon monoxide," said Colonel Wood. "If it doesn't get enough air when you're combusting that charcoal or you didn't construct your pipe correctly you are going to get a lot more carbon monoxide. As we all know, carbon monoxide is a deadly chemical. If you breathe enough of it, it will kill you." Colonel Wood urges those unaffected by the ban to ensure they are properly hydrated, fed and well rested before smoking, and only do it sparingly. Other dangers associated with hookah smoking include the foreign-packaged tobacco. Force protection specialists point out that lack of processing and packaging standards could be a security concern. "Any food, water, or other material ingested into your body can be exploited by an enemy to disable or kill you," said Lt. Col. Andrew Hugg, 379 AEW force protection cell chief. Although the risk of tobacco contamination is low, smokers should be careful of opened packages or those which could have been tampered with, said Colonel Hugg. Tobacco should also be purchased from random public places. Tobacco cessation classes are available here for those trying to quit smoking. Call 437-8767 for details.