The risk of water pipe smoking is underestimated in the population. Although most of smokers believe in the clearing effect of the water, just a small part of toxic components remains there. Underestimation of the risk and increasing use of the water pipe should result in standardized methods for monitoring and evaluating this risky youth behaviour. The health effect is at least the same, but more likely worse than that of cigarettes smoking, additionally infections could be spread by water pipes.

        Key words: water pipe, underestimated risk, youth