Drugs can be smoked in cigarette paper, a pipe, bong, or by placing the drug on aluminium foil and inhaling the vapour. Smoking drugs results in the effects coming on more quickly and wearing off faster.
You may want to consider doing these things if you decide to smoke drugs:
Use smaller amounts.
Because smoking drugs delivers them to your body quickly, there can be an increased risk of unpleasant effects and overdose. Try starting with smaller amounts and see how you feel before deciding if you want to use more.
Avoid mixing with tobacco.
Rolling cannabis or synthetic cannabis with tobacco can result in more harm to your lungs. The nicotine in tobacco is addictive and using it regularly can make it more difficult to cut down if you choose to.
Avoid holding smoke or vapour in your lungs.
When smoking, inhale drugs slowly and then exhale as soon as you can. Holding smoke in your lungs for longer doesn’t increase your high, and it can cause more damage to your lungs and throat.
Use a mouthpiece to stop burns.
If you are using a pipe, a mouthpiece can prevent damage to your mouth and lip. It is also a good idea to hold the flame beside the stem, not directly on it, to prevent burns.
If you are using a glass pipe, make sure it is shatterproof.
Glass pipes that are not shatterproof can break when heated and cause cuts and burns on your mouth. Pyrex shatterproof pipes are safest. Pipes made of other materials like cans, copper, or plastic can release toxic fumes when they burn, which can damage your lungs.
Brass screens are also safer to use than steel wool. They are usually rolled up tightly and pushed into the pipe stem with a chopstick. Remember to keep checking that screens are still packed tightly.
If you can, replace bowl pipes when they are scratched, chipped, or cracked to avoid hurting yourself.
Avoid sharing smoking equipment.
Germs can be spread from passing around cigarettes, bongs, and pipes. Blood-borne illnesses (from cracked or cut lips), other viruses, and bacteria can be transmitted from sharing smoking gear. If you choose to share, clean off the mouthpiece area thoroughly before using. This won’t get rid of all germs, but can reduce the risk.
If smoking from foil, ensure each person has their own straw or stem to use.
Look after your mouth.
Use lip balm to keep your lips from getting too dry. It is also a good idea to drink lots of water to prevent cracks and dryness around the mouth. Brushing your teeth regularly, using mouthwash and chewing gum to stop you from clenching/grinding your teeth can also help.
If you do have a cut or sore in your mouth that feels swollen or infected, get it looked at by a health professional.
Take care when smoking off foil.
If choosing to smoke off a foil, avoid smoking from foil that isn’t specifically made for drugs. Household foil is flimsy and can contain oils that are inhaled when heated. Regardless of which foil you use, avoid touching the flame to the foil as it can burn holes through it. Hold foil between your thumb and pointer finger to avoid burning yourself. You can see more information about safer smoking of foil here.
Avoid chasing/inhaling smoke with a plastic straw, it is likely to melt. Glass straws, paper, or rolled up smoking foil are safer options.