With spring in the air, many are turning to outdoor patios to enjoy good times with friends, food and sunshine. In this mix however, is the unfortunate rush to include shisha.

Of course, one need not wait till the spring; many have access to shisha (aka hooka, narghile) throughout the year thanks to local outlets. It is not uncommon to see families smoke together, with bearded men and hijab-wearing women among them.

All are under the impression that this odious practice is far less harmful than smoking cigarettes because the (scientifically baseless) assumption is that tobacco-free shisha is 100 per cent harmless. But our youth in their rush to be cool, and our adults in their carrying on of tradition, are unwittingly engaging in a practice that is both physically and spiritually harmful. Take a look for yourself at the facts about shisha smoking: