DH investigates case of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by waterpipe smoking
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH received a notification from United Christian Hospital (UCH) that a 31-year-old man lost consciousness and sustained head injury due to carbon monoxide poisoning after smoking waterpipe last Friday (June 20). After regaining consciousness, he went to UCH for treatment and was later discharged.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the man had used charcoal fuel to smoke waterpipe at a bar with closed door and no window.
The DH will continue to investigate the case.
The DH reminded the public that waterpipe is a smoking product and the combustion of its fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases high concentrations of carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; while exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the smoker to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas which is a by-product from incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon, such as charcoal. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, members of the public are urged to use fuel-burning appliances properly and in a well-ventilated area. In 2023, a cluster of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents was linked to the use of waterpipe fuelled by charcoal.
In addition, the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits any person from conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants). Any person conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH will follow up and investigate every complaint about illegal smoking, and will conduct inspections and enforcement actions at the venue concerned. The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement actions to tackle illegal waterpipe smoking.
The DH again urges the public not to smoke waterpipe. Furthermore, smoking is a major preventable cause of death. For health reason, members of the public should quit smoking now. They can call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, or visit the thematic webpage (www.livetobaccofree.hk/en).
Ends/Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:34
Issued at HKT 17:34
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