Hookahs not safe alternative

To the editor:
The cigar bars of yesteryears are getting replaced with Hookah Bars. These bars are a place where groups of people get together and smoke Hookah tobacco. Hookah tobacco is becoming quite popular and is manufactured in more than 50 flavors.  The age requirement is 18. A hookah is a water pipe with a smoke chamber, bowl, pipe and hoses. Specially made tobacco is heated and the smoke then passes through the water and drawn through a rubber hose to a mouthpiece.
Although research is still emerging, evidence shows that Hookah tobacco still poses many dangers. Hookah smoking delivers about the same amount of nicotine as cigarettes, possibly leading to tobacco dependency.   
It contains high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer causing chemicals. And smokers are still at risk for the same diseases as cigarette smokers, including oral, stomach, esophageal and lung cancers, as well as decreased lung functions and decreased fertility. This also poses a threat of infectious disease due to pipes not being cleaned properly. Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with secondhand smoke. Hookah smoking by pregnant woman can result in low birth weight babies.
Please continue to be aware of the dangers of drug and tobacco use. The Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition meets the third Monday of each month at 3:30 at the East Jay Middle School. Everyone is welcome.  You can also contact us through our Facebook page.
Sherry Rowles, Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition

Time for change
To the editor:
Conventional wisdom from the Washington elites claims that liberal Senator Richard Lugar has a better chance than Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock to beat democrat Joe Donnelly in the November election.
They forget that Indiana elected perceived pro-gun moderate Evan Bayh twice.
They also ignore the fact that Donnelly stands shoulder to shoulder or to the right of Lugar on many issues important to conservatives.
While Lugar repeatedly voted for gun bans, Donnelly has a pro-gun record.
Lugar voted for Cap and Trade twice and Donnelly’s only vote was no. Lugar voted for McCain’s amnesty bill and the DREAM act while Donnelly opposes amnesty.
Lugar voted for extreme left wing Supreme Court Justices Ginsberg, Sodomayor, and Kagan. If Obama is reelected democrat Donnelly can do no worse.
Lugar’s conservative base, which should be the core of his re-election effort, has thrown its support behind the real conservative in the race Richard Mourdock.
The last time both ran for office Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock received more votes in Donnelly’s district than Joe received.
Mourdock is a family man, business man, scientist, and politician who is both fiscally and socially conservative.
It’s time for real change in Washington DC.
Stephen Erwin
Portland[[In-content Ad]]