There is a naive notion that hookah smoking is a fun activity, safe for the body and can be a great alternative to smoking. However, giving up cigarettes and cigars for hookah doesn't really change anything. Yes, hookah tobacco contains less nicotine and tar than cigarettes, but they are still there and are not completely filtered out by the water in the flask. Hookah smoke, even after it has been filtered through a water filter, still contains high levels of carbon monoxide, heavy metal salts and carcinogenic chemicals. A water filter retains some of the nicotine, but it does not prevent addiction and does not make smoking safe.