What is a Bong?
Also known as a water pipe, a bong is a device designed to make it easy to smoke various types of tobacco, herbs and other forms of plants. The idea of the water pipe has been around since ancient times, and is found in a number of cultures. During the middle of the 20th century, the bong became associated with smoking marijuana, with the result that many people today have no idea that the device is used for smoking other products as well.
The basic design of a bong includes a long stem that is usually known as a slide, a bowl shaped section that is equipped with some type of screen, and a bowl where the dried matter that is to be burned is placed. The general construction is such that it is possible to use water as a filtering agent, removing many of the more harmful elements found in different types of tobacco and other plants.
A traditional material for the bong is bamboo, which is relatively easy to shape into a long section of pipe with the bowls located at the end. However, over the years, all sorts of materials have been used to create bongs. Today, it is possible to purchase glass bongs as well as bongs made using different types of plastics. While there is some difference of opinion on whether an acrylic bong works as well as a good old fashioned wooden water pipe, it is relatively easy to purchase pre-assembled bongs online, or buy kits that allow you to custom design your own special bong.