Hookah is a water pipe that originated in India and is traced back to the Middle East. It works by heating tobacco with lit charcoal, which causes smoke to pass through water before being inhaled through a hose. While hookah is seen as a social activity due to its various flavors, it exposes users to higher levels of toxins like tar and carbon monoxide compared to cigarettes. The myths around hookah being safer than cigarettes are untrue, as it carries significant health risks like lung cancer, heart disease, and addiction.