When it comes to shisha for your hookah pipe, you have access to dozens of alternatives that you may mix and combine to make the perfect bowl every time.
From selecting a high-quality brand to the dozens and hundreds of flavor selections, not to mention the near-infinite flavor combinations, you have many alternatives. In contrast to ordinary shisha, however, tobacco-free shisha is a more specialized product.
If you are interested in smoking tobacco-free shisha as opposed to traditional shisha, you likely have many questions. Yeah of course, you can still enjoy hookah even without nicotine or the tobacco plant!
Nevertheless, there are a few distinctions to be aware of when smoking tobacco-free shisha. The greater your understanding of how to modify your experience with tobacco-free shisha, the better.
Here is a comprehensive analysis of the distinctions between traditional shisha and tobacco-free shisha for hookah smoking.
WHAT IS SHISHA?
Before we can break out the distinctions, we must first address a fundamental question: what is shisha?
Hookah-smoked traditional shisha consists of chopped tobacco mixed with glycerin, honey or molasses, and flavorings such as fruit juices, spices, and flavoring liquids to make a sticky, flavorful, and moist substance.
Shisha as we know it now has only been around for a few decades, yet there are currently dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of flavors.
WHAT IS TOBACCO-FREE SHISHA?
If tobacco is an essential component of shisha, what is tobacco-free shisha?
Tobacco-free shisha is still produced with glycerin, honey or molasses, and flavorings, but instead of chopped tobacco, tea leaves or other herbs are used.
This offers nicotine-free shisha the same appearance, texture, and aroma as traditional tobacco shisha, but without the nicotine.
IS THE TASTE OF TOBACCO-FREE SHISHA THE SAME?
Your greatest concern when transitioning to tobacco-free shisha as opposed to regular tobacco shisha is likely that it won’t have the same flavor and will therefore be less refreshing.
To your good fortune, traditional shisha and tobacco-free shisha taste nearly identical, and depending on the brand and flavor, the difference may be invisible. Natural tastes of the tea leaves and herbs used in tobacco-free shisha provide the primary flavor distinctions.
The less obvious the distinction will be, the more intensely flavored your shisha brand and taste is. The greater the amount of flavoring added, the more that flavor will mask the small distinction between tobacco-free hookah tobacco and conventional hookah tobacco.
IS TOBACCO-FREE SHISHA STILL THE SAME TO SMOKE?
Okay, so perhaps tobacco-free shisha tastes identical to traditional tobacco shisha, but is the smoke the same thick, rich, full cloud, and does it have the same effect on the lungs?
The correct response is both yes and no. Yes, tobacco-free shisha will produce a cloud of rich, thick smoke, as this effect is achieved by the combination of water, glycerin, and molasses, and not the tobacco.
However, the nicotine in the tobacco is responsible for the calm, lightheaded, and easygoing sensation that hookah smoking produces. You won’t experience this sensation without the nicotine in the tobacco, but the smoke clouds will still feel the same in your lungs, thus smoking will still be satisfying.
IS THE FLAVOR OF TOBACCO-FREE SHISHA THE SAME?
Another common issue we hear from hookah users contemplating switching to tobacco-free hookah shisha is that they won’t be able to locate their preferred tobacco-free flavors.
Fortunately, there is no cause for fear. True, certain brands do not provide tobacco-free solutions, and their distinct flavors would be unavailable in tobacco-free alternatives. However, many other brands offer comparable flavors.
Your new favorite taste may have a different name, but it will be a different brand’s take of white gummy bear or blueberry mint.
IS SHISHA WITHOUT TOBACCO LESS ADDICTIVE?
People who are new to the hookah scene and don’t like smoking nicotine frequently ask us whether tobacco-free shisha is less addictive than nicotine-containing tobacco shisha.
Yes, tobacco-free shisha is significantly less addictive than typical shisha tobacco. Tobacco-free shisha is devoid of nicotine, the addictive ingredient found in tobacco.
Thus, it is impossible to become dependent on nicotine-free tobacco-free shisha tobacco. You can still enjoy hookah if you have quit smoking cigarettes and wish to consume nicotine-free tobacco.
ARE THERE OTHER SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TOBACCO-FREE SHISHA AND TYPICAL SHISHA?
We’ve already addressed the most frequently asked questions about tobacco-free shisha, but people frequently want to know if there are any subtle distinctions that the ordinary person would miss.
And the brief response is not really. The price of tobacco-free and tobacco shisha is comparable, so price is not a significant concern. The only other distinction we can think of is that tobacco-free shisha is more difficult to find in hookah lounges and pubs, especially in major cities.
But overall, you can rest certain that utilizing tobacco-free shisha will not diminish your hookah experience. In fact, some claim that tobacco-free shisha tastes better and is clearer, and many individuals smoke both types of shisha depending on their mood.
SHOULD I USE NICOTINE-FREE SHISHA?
The final topic we will address today is one that you presumably had in mind when you began reading this article: should you smoke tobacco-free shisha?
Tobacco-free shisha is an excellent option for those who wish to enjoy hookah without nicotine. Tobacco-free shisha is not taxed in the same way as tobacco products are, and can be cheaper in places where tobacco taxes are very high.
There are numerous valid reasons why you may choose to consume tobacco-free shisha. To put it succinctly, tobacco-free shisha is suitable for anybody.
Conclusion
When beginning the transition from traditional to tobacco-free shisha, you are likely to have questions. To enjoy a flawless smoking session with tobacco-free shisha as opposed to traditional shisha, there are a few subtle distinctions to be aware of.
Tobacco-free shisha is produced using the same glycerin, flavorings, and molasses as conventional shisha, but instead of chopped tobacco, tea leaves and other herbs are used as the primary ingredient.
This means nicotine-free tobacco-free shisha is less addicting than conventional shisha. Tobacco-free shisha has the same flavor and vapor production as regular shisha, but does not have the same soothing effect as nicotine.
Tobacco-free shisha can be an excellent alternative for hookah smokers seeking a nicotine-free substance.
