The hookah craze

The formula is simple: a base, an air shaft, a hose, water, coals and a bowl of flavored tobacco.

Gather up a couple chairs and your close friends, or head out to the nearest lounge to partake in an ancient ritual that is quickly growing in popularity around campus.

The college population at large may still be fairly unaware of the prospect of hookah, what it is or why it's popular.

But like all new trends, hookah has its roots firmly planted in a loyal fan base of patrons who have been smoking for years.

Those at Santa Clara recognize that smoking hookah is largely a social event, a relaxing ceremony of sorts, accompanied by open conversations, hearty laughter and a very welcoming environment.

"It brings together a group of friends, and they get to spend time, getting things off their mind -- anything that's stressful -- all that's forgotten. It's a great way to relax and laugh with friends," says sophomore Jason Magrisso, who owns his own hookah.

But hookah is no cigarette, no "cigarillo" or cigar. Hookah fans say it contains neither poisons nor addictive additives.

The tobacco, called shisha (shee-sha), is shredded and mixed with flavored molasses, creating a mellow-sweet mixture available in flavors ranging from mango to mint chocolate.

"My favorite flavors are strawberry, white peach, orange, grape. I basically like all the fruity flavors, the more complicated ones are too chemically enhanced for me," says junior Daniel Carmichael.

Smoking hookah works in the following way: One person inhales from the end of the hose, drawing air from the top of the bowl through the burning tobacco, down into the base, which is filled with water (the colder the better, and, for best results, use ice cubes), and up through the hose into the lungs.

The effect of the water is somewhat magical, as it completely cools the smoke to a neutral temperature, allowing for high-volume intake.

The smoke enters the throat without the burning sensation of a cigar or cigarette. When the lungs are filled, the smoker exhales at his or her own pace, billowing out a blissfully thick cloud of rich white smoke, visible as it twists and morphs into the air.

From Web sites to smoke shops, a student can purchase a hookah at a myriad of prices ($30 to $300 or more). And while many students own their own hookah, most choose to frequent so called "hookah bars" or "hookah lounges."

At such places, for around $10 to $20, a group gets to smoke their own hookah in a dramatic atmosphere complete with music, decor, and mood-lighting.

"Some places have middle-eastern vibes, even foods, to really set the right mood. The people who work there are very knowledgeable of shisha and hookah, and are very willing to assist with flavor selection, or anything else," says Emily Schumacher.

The nearest lounge, Smoke This!, is located right up The Alameda, only a few blocks from campus. Smoke This! is now applying to accept Flex money Access cards. There's also Giza and Hookah Nights, both San Jose area lounges.

But at night, should one walk around campus long enough, one would not be hard-pressed to find a group of students gathered around their own hookah.

"Smoking my own hookah is cheaper than going to bars, and when you have your own, people will just walk up and greet you," says junior Chris Gardner. "It's a great social tool."

Contact Matt von Boecklin at (408) 551-1918 or mvonboecklin@scu.edu.