Dhoni’s ‘Hookah Hangout’ Revealed By Ex-CSK Teammate: Here Are 5 Shocking Health Risks You Can't Ignore

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has always been known for his calm personality and his unusual ways of bonding with teammates. Over the years, stories have emerged about his love for simple routines, grounded lifestyle, and surprisingly his fondness for hookah. Now, this topic is back in the spotlight after former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Mike Hussey spoke about the team’s unofficial hangout space where players would relax, chat, and sometimes enjoy a hookah together. 

His comments have once again sparked conversations about the culture inside the CSK camp and the health impact of hookah, which many still believe is harmless. To understand the real risks behind hookah use, we reached out to Dr. Sanchayan Roy, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Delhi.

What Did Mike Hussey Reveal About Dhoni’s Hookah Lounge?

Adding fuel, ex-CSK star Mike Hussey recently spilled on The Overlap Cricket podcast. He called Dhoni's IPL hotel room CSK's 24/7 lounge where players chatted cricket, munched snacks, and some hit shisha. Hussey painted a cozy picture. "Dhoni is just the ost amazing guy. His room is available open 24 hours a day. Anyone can go up there and just sit. He has got his lounge room, players just sit around, they start talking cricket, some of them like the shisha... That is their way of socialising." 

MS Dhoni caught smoking hookah 😱#MSDhoni #Hookah #CSK pic.twitter.com/zxMz8ppm2I

— CricXScore (@CricXScore) January 7, 2024

Echoing George Bailey's old nugget, it broke hierarchies and bonded rookies. Credit Dhoni's chill style for CSK's family feel but shisha's smoke clouds the health side.

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5 Serious Health Risks of Hookah

We spoke to Dr. Sanchayan Roy, who warns that hookah is far from safe — and in many ways, more dangerous than people realize.

1. Extremely High Tobacco Exposure

“Many people believe hookah is a safer alternative to cigarettes, but the reality is far more dangerous,” says Dr. Roy. “A single hookah session usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour, exposing the lungs to a much higher volume of smoke than a single cigarette.” He explains that one hookah session can equal 100 or more cigarettes’ worth of smoke. The charcoal used to heat the tobacco adds even more toxins.

2. Serious Lung Damage

Hookah smoke contains tar, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. Dr. Roy warns that regular users risk chronic bronchitis, asthma flare-ups, and long-term lung disease. “Even occasional sessions can irritate the airways,” he adds.

3. Increased Risk of Heart Disease

• Nicotine spikes heart rate and blood pressure almost instantly.
• “Over time, it hardens blood vessels, encourages plaque build-up, and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke,” Dr. Roy explains.

4. Higher Risk of Infectious Diseases

• Because hookah is often shared socially, the infection risk is higher.
• “Sharing the mouthpiece can transmit tuberculosis, herpes, hepatitis, and respiratory viruses,” warns Dr. Roy.

5. Higher Risk of Cancer

• Hookah smoke contains carcinogens similar to cigarettes.
• “Long-term use is linked to cancers of the lung, mouth, bladder, stomach, and oesophagus,” Dr. Roy shares.
• “Flavoured smoke may feel smooth, but the health danger is real. Even occasional use isn’t harmless.”

Why Hookah Is Not a “Safer” Option

Hookah is often marketed as milder, but research contradicts this. Studies, including those published in journals by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC, show that hookah produces harmful levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens. The water in the base does not filter out toxins, which is one of the biggest myths around hookah use.

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Conclusion

Dhoni’s relaxed off-field hookah moments may have caught public attention, but the larger issue is understanding the health risks of hookah itself. Read ahead to know as an expert explains, even occasional use can harm the lungs, heart, and immune system. Hookah may look like a social, harmless activity, but its long-term impact on health can be serious and irreversible.