Hookah Smoke Exposure for Secondhand Smoke Effects

Overseen By Maria M Rivas

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Prescription medications

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Cardiopulmonary disease, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how secondhand exposure to hookah smoke and e-hookah aerosol affects blood vessel function. Participants will experience three different settings: exposure to clean air, traditional charcoal-heated hookah smoke, and e-hookah aerosol. The study is particularly relevant for those who have never smoked or used tobacco products. It provides a chance to understand the risks of secondhand smoke from hookah, which smoke-free laws often overlook. Ideal participants are non-smokers between 21 and 49 years old, with no history of heart or lung disease, and who have avoided secondhand smoke for at least a week. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to important research on the health impacts of secondhand hookah smoke.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you must not be on any prescription medications to participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that exposure to hookah smoke might not be safe. Studies have found that hookah smoke contains many harmful chemicals, similar to cigarette smoke. People can inhale more carbon monoxide and nicotine during a hookah session than from smoking cigarettes, posing a danger even to those nearby.

For e-hookah vapor, the situation is somewhat similar. Although children seem to absorb less nicotine from e-cigarette vapor than from regular smoke, health concerns remain. E-hookahs can increase indoor air pollution, affecting everyone in the room, not just the user.

In summary, both hookah smoke and e-hookah vapor can negatively impact health. This suggests that exposure to them isn't harmless and might carry risks similar to those of cigarette smoke. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the effects of secondhand exposure to electronic hookah aerosol, a relatively new area of study compared to traditional smoking methods. Unlike exposure to clean air or combustible hookah smoke, electronic hookah aerosol involves inhaling vapor, which may have different health implications. This trial aims to uncover how these various forms of smoke exposure affect health and could lead to a better understanding of the risks associated with e-hookah use. By comparing the effects of clean air, combustible smoke, and electronic aerosol, researchers hope to provide valuable insights into how each impacts the body differently.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for secondhand smoke exposure?

Research shows that hookah smoke is not safer than cigarette smoke. Studies have found that one hookah session exposes individuals to more smoke than a cigarette, resulting in similar nicotine levels and even more toxins. This applies to both direct and secondhand smoke. In this trial, participants will encounter different conditions, including combustible hookah smoke and electronic hookah aerosol, to study their effects. Although data on e-hookah vapor is limited, it suggests harmful health effects. Breathing in e-cigarette emissions secondhand has been linked to more asthma attacks in young people. Both hookah smoke and e-hookah vapor contain harmful substances that can affect blood vessel function. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for non-smokers aged 21-49 with no recent secondhand smoke exposure, not on prescription meds, and without heart or lung disease. Participants must have a resting heart rate below 100 bpm, blood pressure under 140/90 mmHg, and a BMI between 18 and 30. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I haven't been around tobacco smoke for at least a week.

I have never used tobacco products or nicotine delivery systems.

My BMI is between 18 and 30.

Exclusion Criteria

You cannot participate if you are breastfeeding or have any other conditions that the study team considers unsafe.

exhaled carbon monoxide >6 ppm

(+) pregnancy test

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Exposure Sessions

Participants undergo three exposure sessions: e-hookah aerosol, charcoal-heated hookah smoke, and clean air, with non-invasive blood pressure and blood flow measurements taken before and after each session.

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person, 2-3 hours each)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects of the exposure sessions.

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Charcoal-heated hookah smoke
• clean air
• e-hookah aerosol

Trial Overview The study investigates the immediate effects of secondhand hookah smoke and e-hookah aerosol on blood vessel function compared to clean air. Volunteers will undergo three sessions where their blood pressure and flow are measured before and after exposure to each condition.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exposure to Electronic Hookah Aerosol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be exposed to electronic hookah aerosol. To mitigate the impact of carryover effects, the exposure sessions will be separated by a minimum of 7-days.

Group II: Exposure to Combustible Hookah Smoke Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be exposed to combustible hookah smoke. To mitigate the impact of carryover effects, the exposure sessions will be separated by a minimum of 7-days.

Group III: Exposure to Clean Air Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be exposed to Clean Room Air. To mitigate the impact of carryover effects, the exposure sessions will be separated by a minimum of 7-days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5505800/

Effects of hookah smoking on indoor air quality in homes Hookah and cigarette smoking impaired home air quality. The rooms in which hookahs were smoked showed the highest concentrations for all pollutants.

2. mayoclinic.org mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine-dependence/expert-answers/hookah/faq-20057920

Hookah smoking: Is it safer than cigarette smoking? The tobacco is no less toxic in a hookah pipe than in a cigarette. The water in the hookah cools the smoke, but it does not filter out the toxins in the smoke.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04661683

Secondhand Effects of Hookah (i.e., Waterpipe) Smoke ... In the United States, secondhand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death. Flavored hookah (waterpipe) tobacco smoking, a highly social activity ...

4. lung.org lung.org/getmedia/4460faae-7e9f-4510-87d6-65821ad02c1a/hookah-policy-brief-updated.pdf.pdf

HookaH Smoking Hookah smoking uses a waterpipe to filter smoke from a tobacco mixture, often shared, and carries similar health risks to cigarette smoking.

5. bmjopen.bmj.com bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e029490

Effects of exposure to direct and secondhand hookah and ... A single hookah session results in a much greater amount of smoke exposure than a typical cigarette session, yielding similar levels of nicotine and much higher ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/tobacco/other-tobacco-products/hookahs.html

Hookahs | Smoking and Tobacco Use Using a hookah to smoke tobacco poses serious health risks to both the people who are smoking and those exposed to the smoke. Hookah and toxin ...

7. lung.org lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/facts-about-hookah

Facts About Hookah Hookah users often perceive it to be less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but studies show that the smoke contains many of the same toxic components found in ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470211824015549

A review of the health effects of smoking shisha Finally, a statistically significant association between smoking shisha and the development of lung cancer has been reported, mainly driven by exposure to ...