What does hookah tobacco contain?
Many hookah lovers are interested in the composition of tobacco for hookah smoking. It defines the whole hookah experience, so if you are into spending evenings smoking hookah with friends, pay attention to the features of tobacco mixes.
Is there any nicotine in hookah tobacco (shisha)? How much?
The question of nicotine in hookah tobacco (shisha) is one of the most common. Of course, the answer is positive: absolutely any tobacco contains nicotine, but its quantity can be different.
Let us consider some examples among popular tobacco brands and the percentage of nicotine there:
- Nakhla (0.5%);
- Tangiers — 0.3-0.5%;
- Al Fakher — 0.05%;
- Serbetli, 0.05%;
- Fumari, 0.05%.
According to the data above, hookah tobacco may include from 0.05% to 0.5% nicotine. This is quite a big difference, so when buying products of a particular brand, be sure to pay attention to its composition, especially if you smoke hookah for the first time.
Composition of hookah tobacco
Main ingredients used in tobacco production are as follows:
- tobacco leaves (Virginia, Burley, Oriental varieties);
- sugar syrup (molasses);’
- glycerin (in hookah, it is responsible for the amount and density of the exhaled smoke);
- various preservatives (to increase tobacco’s shelf life);
- flavoring agents.
Typically, hookah mix contains about 20% of tobacco, and the rest is made of different ingredients in certain proportions. Some brands offer special liquid fillings that should be wrung before smoking, while others are completely caramelized. Sometimes sliced and dried pieces of fruit are added to the tobacco, which creates some nice natural flavor.
What does hookah smoke contain?
Despite all the advantages of hookah smoking, its smoke contains toxic substances that are formed when coal, tobacco and flavoring additives are being burnt. Chemical composition of hookah smoke typically consists of the following elements:
- Nitrosamines.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
- Flying aldehydes.
- Nitric oxide.
- Benzene.
- Heavy metals (chromium, lead).
- Carbon monoxide (CO).
It is to note that hookah smoke also includes steam and water droplets, which are formed during tobacco smoldering. Tobacco contains water (for this reason, some brands recommend ‘wringing’ the product before use), which evaporates during smoking and creates additional steam.
Recommendations and tips
When buying tobacco, it is better to get products from reliable and acknowledged manufacturers. Fake low-proof products may contain all kinds of substitutes instead of food coloring, which may negatively affect the health and well-being of hookah smokers.
Sometimes such substitutes are not suitable for ingestion and contain toxic substances that are released when exposed to high temperatures.
Tobacco strength also plays an important role in the quality of hookah experience. This factor can vary, depending on the percentage of tar and nicotine in tobacco contents. Beginners are advised to choose not very strong options, as tobacco strength level significantly affects the taste of smoke.
If you are not experienced in creating mixes, start with the easiest way — mix some apple and melon. You can combine them not only with each other, but also with other tastes.
In addition to hookah tobacco mixes, there are some other factors that define the quality of the smoking process:
Quality of hookah — when choosing one, make sure to pay attention to the volume and shape of the vase, manufacture materials and basic equipment (hose, kalaud, bowl). Some products are complemented by various accessories, for example, models present in our online store have a backlight feature.
Choice of coal — coconut charcoal is considered to be one of the best options which keeps the heat well and burns four times longer than its analogues (e.g., wood charcoal).
Kalaud features — the main purpose of this accessory is to regulate the heat of coals and air access to them. With a kalaud of good quality you will be able to use your coals for a long time without having to worry about burning out your hookah filling.
You should also consider different flavorings. They define shades and nuances of taste during smoking, as well as the saturation of smoke sensations. Keep in mind that a strong fragrance does not always tell you proper quality of the product.
The choice of tobacco largely depends on personal preferences, so you can only find the best option or create a unique mix by trial and error. Do not be afraid to mix different flavors, but choose only reliable products of good quality for any your experiments.
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