Histological Changes in Tissues of Trachea and Lung Alveoli of Albino Rats Exposed to the Smoke of Two Types of Narghile Tobacco Products

Undoubtedly, narghile smoking has become a common social practice in the Arab region, and a growing phenomenon in the whole world. This study is an attempt to reveal the effects of narghile smoking on the cellular level, through exposing a group of experimental albino rats to the smoke of two types of narghile tobacco-derived products: flavored (moassal) and unflavored (tumbak), for three months on a daily basis, using a specially designed smoking machine. The most prominent histological changes were an abnormal proliferation in the epithelium of trachea, disruption of its cilia, and a marked hyperplasia in the connective tissue of lung alveoli. Finally, further research should be done to give definitive conclusions about the product with an overall stronger effect. However, based on our experiment, smokers could be advised not to smoke on a daily basis and in poorly ventilated areas.