A filtration devise for smoking, bongs, which are also known as a water pipes, are used to smoke tobacco or other substances. Since water provides a cooling effect that reduces burning in the mouth, airways, and lungs, many claim that smoking from a bong is safer than other conventional ways.

The word bong comes from the Thai word baung which refers to a cylindrical wooden container made from bamboo that is used for smoking. The smoking device has been used for centuries in Laos and Thailand by the Hmong. As early as 1944 the McFarland Thai English Dictionary described the bong as a water pipe made of bamboo for smoking kancha, hashish, or hemp plant.

A bong can be made from very diverse household materials like fruits and vegetables that are used until they ferment. However, they are more commonly constructed of acrylic, ceramic, or glass. The bong is often regarded for their style, vivid colors, or customization.

Although smaller and more portable, a bong is similar to a hookah in its construction and function. Any air and water tight vessel can be used to make a bong. A screened bowl and stem are attached to the container for the purpose of getting air into the bowl and below the water to filter out particles. A hole on the bottom part of the bong just above the water level is called the carburetor and allows for fresh air to enter the bong. The carburetor is covered when inhaling, or during the toke, and then opened.

The water in the bong traps the heavier particles and water soluble molecules and prevents them from getting into the airways of the smoker. Water pipes, however, filter out more THC than other tars so the user must smoke more to achieve the effect they want.

Substantial evidence indicates a lower incidence of cancer among those who use a water pipe to smoke tobacco as compared with cigarettes, cigars, and traditional pipes. Also, water filtration appears to be effective in removing known toxins from cannabis smoke. This suggests that the smoke from a bong is less harmful than unfiltered smoke.

In the United States, it is illegal to sell, send through the mail, carry across state lines, and bring into the country or sell to other countries, drug paraphernalia. Smoking accessories are considered legal until they are used for illegal substances. It is the act of using the bong to smoke marijuana or hashish that causes the device to be considered drug paraphernalia. The establishments that sell smoking accessories, known as head shops, take great care with the language used to describe their products.

To get around the law preventing the sale of drug paraphernalia, retailers in countries where marijuana and hashish are illegal, will advertise that bongs are intended for smoking tobacco. While the bong is not necessarily made or used to smoke marijuana or other illegal substances, it has some drug related connotations. Because of the association with illegal drug use, many shops will not serve customers who refer to the water pipe as a bong.

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Category: Culture
Keywords: bongs, smoking, pipes, glass pipe, shisha Pipe,accessories, vaporizer pipe, hookah pipes, herb grind