Bong

A bong is a water pipe used as a filtering device for inhaling ignited or vaporised herbal substances like cannabis or tobacco. 

In popular culture, the bong has been used to represent or symbolise cannabis, and ‘stoner’ culture globally. Bongs have been used for centuries by indigenous cultures as a tool to inhale the smoke and vapour from burning natural and herbal substances in traditional medicine practices.

At a glance: Bongs

How does a bong work? 

A bong works by filtering the smoke or vapour, the herbal substance is placed into the bowl and then ignited or heated to a specific temperature when vaporised. The resulting smoke or vapour then travels to the downstem where it comes into contact with the water chamber.

The water chamber cools it down and filters out some water-soluble irritants, creating a cooler cloud that can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece.

Vaporising medical cannabis is still considered the safest option when it comes to inhalation as it doesn’t produce smoke and therefore has far less tar and almost no carbon monoxide. Furthermore, vaporisers operate at lower temperatures, avoiding the heat-triggered throat irritation caused by hot smoke.

The water in a bong may make it feel less harsh to inhale, but it does not make smoking safer.

TRPV1 and TRPA1 are receptors found in the nerve endings that detect pain. TRPV1 responds to heat, which is why eating chillies feels hot even though it isn’t raising the temperature. Receptors in the mouth, tongue, lips and airway lining are triggered by hot smoke, causing coughing and throat-burn sensation.

A water pipe reduces the triggering of these receptors in two ways. First, the water cools down the temperature of the smoke so that TRPV1 is less likely to be triggered.

The second way it helps create a ‘smoother’ feel is by partially removing compounds like ammonia, acrolein, and acetaldehyde from the smoke. These compounds naturally appear when plant material is burnt.

They are also irritants that can trigger the TRPA1 receptors but are water-soluble, so when they pass through the water chamber, some of them dissolve into the water rather than moving with the smoke to be inhaled which can prevent the TRPA1 receptors being activated. 

Pushing the smoke through water also creates humidity, so is less likely to dry out your throat or windpipe as much as dry smoke or vapour.

Visible ash and plant matter may also drop out due to the water filter, but tar and carbon monoxide are still inhaled even when using a bong and there is no evidence to suggest it is ‘healthier’ than smoking.

Coughing is a protective reflex, removing these signals doesn’t reduce the harmful compounds in the smoke, it just makes it easier to inhale.

Types of bongs

There are many different bongs available to buy in the UK, and while they are legal to buy, it is not legal to use them with black market cannabis or medical cannabis that is set alight.

• Glass bongs are the most typical bong, they come with a glass tube and water chamber with a removable bowl and stem.

• Plastic bongs are usually made from silicone or acrylic and use a metal stem, they are sturdier than glass bongs.

• Bubbler bongs are a hybrid between a bong and a pipe; they are made as one solid piece and are easily portable.

• Gravity bongs are usually DIYed and made using a bottle inside a larger water container.

• Bucket bongs are also homemade and named after the bucket the water sits in.

Are bongs legal in the UK?

Owning a bong is legal in the UK, it is not illegal to simply possess cannabis paraphernalia like bongs or pipes. However, a bong with cannabis residue in it can support a possession charge.

Using them to consume or administer cannabis that has been set alight, even if you have a medical cannabis prescription, is a criminal offence under Regulation 16A of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

Selling a bong can be an offence under section 9A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 if the seller believes it will be used to take a controlled drug.

Bongs may be used for other herbal products or substances that are legal to consume.

Bongs and your health

While a bong does use water filtration to create a smoother consumption it does very little to reduce the health risks of inhaling smoke.

When plant material is combusted (set alight) it releases a range of toxic compounds, including carcinogens that can have a negative impact on various parts of your health.

A bong may be able to capture some of these water-soluble compounds, but not enough to make it a safe way of consuming cannabis. Particulate matter such as tar and the carcinogenic PAHs carried within it are too small to be caught, and gases like carbon monoxide and benzene are still inhaled.

Another issue with people using bongs is that they may not be cleaned regularly and become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and mould to grow; warm, damp and dark.

Water left standing for days that is then directly inhaled into the lungs has been linked to pneumonia and lung infections.

Bongs can also be used with concentrates which contain little plant material so produce fewer by-products that come with burning flower, but carry other risks. A single dose can be harder to control because of high THC levels and solvents used to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant may not be properly purged. If the dabbing surface is too hot (used for concentrates like wax and shatter) it degrades the product and causes more irritants.

Bongs vs vaporisers

UK clinics prescribe vaporisation of medical cannabis flower over smoking for a number of reasons.

A bong generally burns cannabis, and setting fire to cannabis takes the plant material to somewhere between 600–900°C. This causes the material to combust, producing tar, carbon monoxide, benzene and other by-products, which causes health problems and can reduce the level of THC and CBD.

The water filtration in a bong removes some water-soluble irritants but has little effect on tar, carbon monoxide or benzene.

A vaporiser heats the flower to a controlled temperature, most patients find 180–220°C works well. This is hot enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes as a vapour, but not hot enough to burn anything.

On another level, vaporisers ensure the dose is more consistent as they vaporise at a set temperature for a set amount of time, delivering a consistent amount of medical cannabis each session.

Can I take my medical cannabis using a bong?

Legally, a person must not self-administer a cannabis-based product for medicinal use by smoking it. This applies regardless of whether the cannabis was lawfully prescribed. Smoking your medical cannabis through a bong or pipe is illegal.

A vaporiser device may be able to attach a water-pipe adapter to help smooth out the vapour, this means it is still vaporised and not smoked, which stays within the legality of your prescription.

Frequently asked questions about bongs

What is a bong in smoking?

A bong is a water pipe that draws smoke from burning plant material through a chamber of water before it is inhaled; the water cools the smoke and makes it feel smoother on the throat.

Is a bong like a vape?

A bong burns material and creates smoke, a vaporiser heats it below the combustion point to release vapour without setting it alight.

Do bongs count as smoking?

As bongs involve combusting plant material, using one counts as smoking.

Is a bong better than smoking cannabis?

A bong is a form of smoking cannabis so it carries the same risks.

Are bongs legal in the UK?

It is legal to buy a bong in the UK, it is illegal to use one to smoke cannabis and it is illegal for a seller to sell a bong if they believe it is to be used for controlled drugs like cannabis.

Is a bong considered a drug?

A bong is not considered a drug, it is considered a piece of equipment and the legal status depends on what is put in it.

Can medical cannabis patients use a bong?

Prescribed medical cannabis flower in the UK is intended to be vaporised, not smoked. Using a bong to burn medical cannabis flowers is illegal.

To find out if you are eligible, try our free medical cannabis eligibility checker, it takes less than 30 seconds to fill in.

Our medical cannabis glossary can also help you learn more about terms you may associate with medical cannabis. 

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