I have to say, they must be safer in that they are not readily available as Cigarettes are. With the water pipe, there is an entire process that's involved in smoking so you can't smoke as much as frequently. It is, in fact an atmosphere and from this perspective, it is actually "safer". This is simply a moderation issue. Legislation of human behavior has never been successful and warning labels on a product like this are nothing but a feel good form over function attempt at education.
Yeah, you don't hear about many Opus One Alcoholics! It's usually the cheap available stuff that a) gets and b) keeps 'em hooked.
Uh oh.. is Hookah the "gateway tobacco". You start there, then on to Cigars, then Swisher Sweets, Cloves, then Marlbaro's by the case. Before you know it you're stealing butts from the ashtray outside the homeless shelter.