A number of years ago there was a hookah bar that opened up in town (I live in a small-ish college town). There was an article in the local paper about the emerging popularity of these establishments. It included a quote from one of the frequent patrons talking about how he loved it because it was so safe, that you were just inhaling the “flavor” without any of the harmful chemicals you’d get from smoking[1].

I was astonished at the time, but I guess the belief is more common than I was aware.

[1]https://www.pantagraph.com/business/students-plan-for-hookah...