Hookah lounge

In Western countries, shisha parlors are often owned and operated by people from the Arab world or the Indian Subcontinent where use of the hookah is a centuries-old tradition.

[1] In the United States and Europe, shisha parlors are most popular in college towns and urban areas and are regarded by enthusiasts as a novel and chic way to socialize.

When alcohol is not sold, shisha parlors derive revenue from sales of coffee, tea, soft drinks and snack foods.

Although herbal shisha does not contain tobacco or nicotine, when burned it does produce harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer and heart disease.

[4] Hookah smoking is common in many European[5] and other countries including: In the United States, establishments akin to shisha parlors first opened decades ago[clarification needed] in the immigrant quarters of New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, California as coffee and tea houses.

Many shisha parlors in the United States have elements such as glass tables, plasma televisions, and oxygen bars.

Common incorrect beliefs include that shisha is not addictive and that the smoke contains fewer toxic chemicals and carcinogens.

[17] Hookah users breathe in many harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and aldehydes.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes dizziness, nausea and vomiting, irritability, rapid fall in blood pressure, and chest pain, and often must be treated in hospital emergency departments.

[18] Due to the health concerns, many cities seek to create tougher restrictions for shisha bars, and some want them shut down altogether.