WHO pipes up about hookahs.

The World Health Organization Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation has released an "advisory note" to explain that use of water pipes to smoke tobacco is not any safer than smoking cigarettes. In addition to a list of adverse health effects associated with use of the device, the document includes a nifty diagram explaining exactly how a proper hookah is made. It also notes that sharing a hookah puts one at risk for a host of communicable diseases, such as TB, in addition to the usual emphysema. Charlie Sheen expressed relief. "Oh, hookahs. Whew! For a second I thought you said you shouldn't share--uh, never mind."