Contrary to what many people think, hookah water pipes do not filter out most of the heavy metals in tobacco, a new study warns.

Contrary to what many people think, hookah water pipes do not filter out most of the heavy metals in tobacco, a new study warns.

1. Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.

3. It is He Who has sent down the Book (the Qur'an) to you (Muhammad ) with truth, confirming what came before it. And he sent down the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).

4. Aforetime, as a guidance to mankind, And He sent down the criterion [of judgement between right and wrong (this Qur'an)]. Truly, those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, for them there is a severe torment; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.

5. Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, in the earth or in the heavens.

6. He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

7. It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad ) the Book (this Qur'an). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments, etc.), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari).

8. (They say): "Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower."

9. Our Lord! Verily, it is You Who will gather mankind together on the Day about which there is no doubt. Verily, Allah never breaks His Promise".

10. Verily, those who disbelieve, neither their properties nor their offspring will avail them whatsoever against Allah; and it is they who will be fuel of the Fire.

11. Like the behaviour of the people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and those before them; they belied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), so Allah seized (destroyed) them for their sins. And Allah is Severe in punishment.3. Aal-'Imran

Tobacco plants can absorb and accumulate heavy metals, such as copper, iron, chromium, lead and uranium. Long-term exposure to these heavy metals can increase smokers' risk of head and neck cancers, as well as other diseases, the study authors said.

It's widely believed that hookahs filter out these heavy metals and are therefore safer than cigarettes, the authors pointed out in a news release from BioMed Central.

But researchers from the German Jordanian University and the Royal Scientific Society Amman-Jordan tested four of the most popular tobacco brands in Jordan. The investigators found that hookahs remove only about 3 percent of heavy metals in tobacco, which is not enough to protect smokers against exposure to these toxic substances.

The findings were released online Feb. 19 in the journal BMC Public Health.

"Since the trend of smoking water pipe has increased markedly among the young in the last decade, not only in the Middle East but worldwide, our research adds to the evidence about its potential health hazards," lead researcher Akeel Al-Kazwini said in the news release.

The water mainly cools the smoke, rather than filtering it as people may believe, according to Al-Kazwini.

More needs to be done to make people aware of the dangers of smoking hookahs, the researchers said.

"At present, the water pipe tobacco industry operates without regulation and the impact of health warning labels on water pipe use has not been extensively investigated. It is therefore essential that regulators and policymakers prioritize the correct labeling of water pipe tobacco products in order to ensure users are informed of the dangers," Al-Kazwini said.

Following a large sting operation, the Health Department began proceedings today to revoke permits of 13 hookah bars operating in Manhattan and Queens. City health inspectors used NYU student ringers to obtain shisha samples from 13 hookah bars on Friday, November 14th of last year. Once analyzed, all the samples were found to contain tobacco, a no-no under the city's 2002 Smoke-Free Air Act, which prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants.

The DOH will file papers in court today to begin the permit revocation process. If the courts approve the Department's motions, Health Department permits to these establishments will be revoked and the bars forced to close. It's not confirmed whether these places will be allowed to reapply for new permits if they want to.

It's interesting that the city has suddenly chosen to crack down on these establishments for smoking, as many of them have puffed away seemingly untouched since the Smoke-Free Air Act was established. From this former 18-year-old NYU kid's perspective, it's far more likely they'd be sanctioned for underage drinking—not that I was ever involved in that, Mom! The city will be looking to shut down the following establishments; smoke 'em while you got 'em.

• Parlay Café, 1780 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan
• 9A NYC Kitchen and Lounge, 2331 West 12th Avenue, Manhattan
• Luxor Lounge, 118 MacDougal Street, Manhattan
• Le Souk Harem, 510 LaGuardia Place, Manhattan
• Falucka, 162 Bleecker Street, Manhattan
• Cozy Café, 43 East 1st Street, Manhattan
• Sahara East, 184 1st Avenue, Manhattan
• Cloister Café, 238 East 9th Street, Manhattan
• Kazuza, 107 Avenue A, Manhattan
• Fayrooz Hookah Lounge and Bar, 28-08 Steinway Street, Queens
• Melody Lounge, 25-95 Steinway Street, Queens
• Layla Hookah Lounge, 181-34 Union Turnpike, Queens
• Cloud 9, 179-22 Union Turnpike, Queens