Hubbly Bubbly also known as Hookah pipe was introduced in South Africa in the 1990s. It can be taken anywhere as long as it is allowed in that venue. They come in different sizes, the normal size being 35- 66cm and the tallest being 115cm. Hookah pipe is generally used in social gatherings such as parties, clubs and in house chilling sessions. People from all age groups smoke hubbly especially youngsters as smoking hubbly has become a societal trend.
Hookah pipe is made up of different components, the main being the vase (base that holds water), tray (collects ash from the coal), bowl (where you put your flavour) and the hose (most people call it pipe, it is used to pull smoke). There are also different kinds of flavours like blue mix, ruby rush, freeze etc. Which fall under the Amaren brand then there is also lady killer, blue melon, double melon ice etc. Which falls under the Adalya brand.
There are three types of traditional hookahs, namely:
The hookah pipe comes in different styles such as the Egyptian, Richman, Amaren and Al Halil, to name a few.
The best hose also know as pipe to have in your hubbly collection is the Amira wand, Galaxy Silicone, Dream Aluminium etc. These hookah hose are high-quality hoses, made of silicone and are more durable. Also, they have a good flow rate, unlike the cheap hoses which are made of low-quality plastic or rubber and tear easily.
A lot of people engage In smoking hubbly because of its sweet scent and it helps them to unwind and relax their mind, it also helps in reducing anxiety. They find pleasure in creating art with the smoke. Hubbly on its own is harmful to a person’s health as it release high toxic agents which cause lung cancer, bladder and oral cancer, it also increases your blood pressure. People who are highly addicted to hubbly often feel anxious and sick if they don’t smoke.
It Is advisable to avoid smoking hubbly while dehydrated, on an empty stomach, drawing a lot of smoke in a short space of time and buying cheap flavours as they cause headaches, dizziness and may result in a blackout.
Sharing a hookah hose has its side effects as you can contract flu, tuberculosis, mouth sores etc. It is always wise to thoroughly keep your hose clean and have your own mouth piece when you are in a large social gathering or a situation that requires you to share a hose.
Slindile Sibiya
Hookah is thought to have originated in India during the Mughal reign when smoking tobacco was still very much seen as a taboo.
While most people today smoke shisha from their hookahs, traditionally, people might have also smoked unflavoured tobacco, marijuana, and even opium from hookahs.
Egyptian hookahs are some of the best benchmarks showing the importance of the Egyptian influence on all of hookah culture.
Syrian hookahs are wonderfully hand-crafted and ornately decorated. Turkish pipes have a very tight draw. But lovers of the Turkish style say the tightness releases their potent flavour.
Sifiso Malinga, 23 explains that he gets relaxation from smoking hubbly and that it also helps him with socializing, because they meet different people through hubbly. “When you smoke hubbly you have time to think , it teaches you about patience, tolerance and gives you an understanding of good company”.
Tshepiso Labane 25 explains that she smokes hubbly in order to de-stress from a long day at work. “ Hubbly helps me a lot especially when I’m having stress and I also smoke because it takes away my headache”.
The prohibition of sale of hookahs and their products to anyone under the age of eighteen.
Michael Labane 52, explains how unhappy and angry he is about the conversation of hubbly. He also states that he has been reprimanded his kids about the hubbly and explaining the dangers but they refuse to listen. “ We have grandchildren under the age of 18 and they are being exposed to this smoke which is also second hand smoking but because their grandmother allows her children to smoke in the house I have to bare it all.”.
Ntombi Mazibuko 38, “ I have no problem with my children smoking but as long as I know what they are smoking because if they have already started what can you do to stop them? I even try it out sometimes to try and taste or feel what they are feeling but I find nothing”.
Veronica Malinga
Though hookah is the most widely spread and used name for this smoking device, it goes by many other different names around the world. Some of them include nargeela, shisha, okka, kalyan, goza, hubble-bubble, etc. Most of these expressions are of Somalian, Arab, Ethiopian and Indian origin.
Some hookahs have a windscreen that is used to cover the bowl area and keep the wind from ruining your hookah experience by making the coal burn too quickly.
The release of smoke is what causes an individual to feel good, or a sense of calmness when stressed. Arguably, Hookah smoking is a safer alternative in reducing stress when compared to cigarette smoking in regard to the nicotine content.
Hookah smoking is often mistaken as a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking, due to its sweet smell and taste and the fact that people typically smoke hookah on occasions, but there’s no such thing as a healthy smoking option. Hookah is not healthier than cigarettes, and it has the risks similar to those of cigarette smoking including cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
Smoking a hookah delivers much more nicotine than smoking a cigarette. Because smoking hookah often occurs in social settings such as hookah lounges and local festivals. The nicotine becomes an addiction unknowingly so but the lungs tell a different story
Kamogelo Digashu
Soweto Sunrise News
