The researchers did not detect excess amounts of the toxic metals even in the hookah water.

A growing fad among urban youth, hookah parlours have been banned in several Indian states, including Maharashtra.

Hookah comprises a narghile, shisha and goza which is a water pipe with a smoke chamber, a bowl, a pipe and a hose.

Specially made hookah tobacco is heated in the bowl and smoke passes through water and is then drawn through a rubber by the smoker.

"The new study reiterates that hookah smoke is a less harmful option compared to cigarette smoking. But I would emphasise more on herbal hookahs which are free of tobacco or nicotine as the best alternative," said Shireen Parker, vice-president of Arabian Nights, a leading exotic lifestyle store in Mumbai.

She said that Arabian Nights has launched a range of herbal hookahs which have become very popular among the youth and health conscious young professionals.

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