Hookah tobacco is usually only 10% tobacco- the rest is fruit pulp or extract mixed with molasses. The minute amounts of nicotine and most of the tar is filtered out in the water.

The studies that claim it's as bas as smoking 35 cigarettes have the hookah shishka burning at MUCH higer temps- 800C versus the normal 100C temp shishka burns at- creating MUCH more tar than what is actually absorbed by the human lungs.

I really enjoy hookah lounges, they're relaxing, good culture, good food, and great places to socialize with friends (and make new ones). People both working at or visiting hookah bars are much more likely to socialize with you, since you practically are less that 2 feet away from each other.