Glass water pipes are an alternative to a cigarette. A glass water pipe filters out a lot of carcinogens found in a lot of tobacco products. Glass water pipes also cool the smoke so the smoke is less harsh when it enters the throat and lungs. While cigarettes can be an easier and more effective way of smoking tobacco, glass water pipes are a fun and healthy alternative.
Pipe smoking has been dated back as early as the Native Americans. Their culture has many pipe smoking traditions. The Native Americans used pipe smoking in many ceremonial events. Tobacco was mixed with mixtures of different herbs, some to be considered scared. The Europeans popularized the “peace pipe” which is also called a calumet. This was also smoked during ceremonial events and also during seal covenants and the signing of treaties. Tobacco itself was brought to Europe from America in the 16th century and was very quickly popularized around the world. Later on after that in the 1800’s, opium was added to the pipes with the tobacco. Before then the opium had only been eaten. The mixture of the tobacco and opium was called Madak. This became more addictive than simply eating the opium.
Popularized in the 20th century was smoking psychoactive drugs in pipes. To some, smoking was more powerful than eating any of these drugs. Most widely known is crack cocaine. This is highly addictive, especially when smoked through a pipe. Pipes are specially made and sometimes even hand made for the purpose of smoking crack cocaine. The second most popular has highly increased in the amount of users. This drug is called methamphetamine. Previously snorted, smoking methamphetamine decreases nose and nasal irritation. Another highly known and widely smoked drug is marijuana. When not used as a joint, smoking marijuana in a glass water pipe makes the smoke less harsh on the lungs and throat.
Throughout the world, the way that pipe smoking is perceived varies greatly. This not only depends on the people that smoke it but the substance that is being smoked through the pipe. For instance, pipe smoking in the Western World has been viewed as dignified and suited for society. There are even awards given in some nations for pipe smoking.