Smoking hookah pipes is growing trend

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Smoking hookah pipes is a growing trend at local coffeehouses and cafes.

What is happening at one local cafe?

"It's pretty relaxed in there. Everyone just kind of hangs out," said News 4 Producer Lucas Smith.

News 4 Producer Mark Parrotte said, "You just get the flavor in your throat and through your nose."

It has become increasingly popular for the younger crowd. But, the practice itself is believed to have originated in India and the spread to the Middle East hundreds of years ago.

These days, you can find hookahs, known as water pipes, in some coffeehouses and cafes.

Generally speaking, here is how it works: The pipe's top contains a bowl of tobacco covered in foil and topped with a hot coal. The tobacco is heated when air is sucked through the hose, which has a removable mouth piece. The smoke is then cooled through the water.

"It tastes like cigar smoke, pipe smoke, like flavored pipe tobacco smells," said Jay Kennerly.

But is this any less dangerous than other forms of smoking?

"I've hear that at least carbon monoxide levels actually go higher. And, carbon monoxide is something bad that you don't want to inhale," said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billittier.

So what about possible health risks?

According to information posted on the Center for Disease Control website , hookah smoking is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.

The agency says hookah smokers are at risk for the same kinds of diseases that are caused by cigarette smoking.

Billittier said, "The reality of it is any tobacco smoke isn't good no matter what you filter it through."

So what are they smoking inside the Aladdin Market and Cafe on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo? News 4 investigative producers went inside wearing a hidden camera.

"How ironic is that there's a no smoking sign in here where you clearly see people smoking out of these pipes," said Parrotte.

Meanwhile, News 4 is outside watching the images coming from the hidden camera.

A check of Erie County Health Department records shows that the Aladdin Cafe was cited in June for violating the state's clean indoor air act, which in most cases prohibits smoking tobacco in a public place.

According to a supporting narrative, an employee told officers that the "patrons were only smoking flavored tobacco and it was harmless."

Attorney Thomas Eoannou, who represents the cafe's owner, tells News 4 they are not smoking tobacco. "They are smoking herbs, fruit herbs. Various kinds of herbs that are not tobacco related or a tobacco derivative. That's why they are not violating the public health law."

Eoannou shows News 4 samples of the herb products. The label on one side says it's tobacco, nicotine and tar free. But on the other side, it warns that smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease.

The night News 4 producers went into the cafe, they were told it was tobacco.

"She came over to the table. I asked her flat out. 'So is this just flavored tobacco?' And she answered me very quickly, she said 'Yep.'"

"Some of the employees do misspeak and say it's a harmless tobacco or something to that effect. And the phrase tobacco should not be used," said Eoannou.

The County Health Department's case against the Aladdin Cafe is still pending.