Smoking concentrated forms of tobacco like ‘dokha’ or shisha as opposed to cigarettes is more harmful to one’s health, says Dr Babu Shersad, internist, First Medical Centre, Dubai. Concentrated tobacco smoking leads a person to inhale higher doses of nicotine, which does long-term damage. “Apart from the effect on the lungs, smoking affects cardiovascular health too as it thickens blood vessels, causing high blood pressure which can affect the heart,” he says. “ Young smokers too can suffer from heart attacks if they smoke in excess ” Dr Babu Shersad, internist, First Medical Centre, Dubai “Young smokers too can suffer from heart attacks if they smoke in excess.” The earlier a person starts smoking, the more likely he is to develop physical and psychological addiction to tobacco, making it harder to quit. According to Dr Shersad, “There is not enough emphasis on the harmful effects of smoking ‘dokha’ or shisha so everyone assumes it’s safe. But smoking any form of tobacco is harmful to a person’s health. I have treated many people with nicotine addiction who want to stop but can’t because their body has become habituated to it.” Dr Shersad rates shisha as the most harmful form of tobacco, followed by ‘dokha’ and cigarettes. “Patients are admitted with pulmonary edemas from smoking shisha,” he says. A pulmonary edema is an abnormal build-up of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, which leads to shortness of breath, and in some cases, heart failure. The Dubai Health Authority recently launched a 24/7 toll-free smoking helpline on 800-123-QUIT (7848).