Herbal Shisha Still Gives Good Smoke
Perhaps the most famous hookah smoker in the world was "The Caterpillar" in Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. Hookah smoking is considered a more refined social custom than smoking the far more portable and obtrusive cigarettes, cheroots or cigars. Because of the size and complexity of the hookah pipe, smoking is usually done in private property or in Shiska (Hookah bars). Shiska refers to whatever is being smoked in the hookah, whether it contains tobacco or not.
Herbal Shisha Ingredients
It could be argued that tobacco is an herb, as plant materials are usually lumped together with the umbrella term “herb”. But in light of recent studies of tobacco’s negative health benefits and increasing legislation outlawing public smoking of it, tobacco is usually not an ingredient in herbal shisha. Be sure to check the ingredients carefully if you are trying to avoid tobacco before purchasing any herbal shisha from a store or online.
So, if not tobacco, what ingredients make up herbal shisha? Usually blends like dried fruits, molasses, natural and artificial flavors, spices and dried herbs. Theoretically, any dried leaf can be smoked. Popular smoking herbs are coltsfoot, Scotch Broom, wild dagga, poppy flowers, skullcap and kava kava. If you are addicted to tobacco, suddenly switching to just herbal shisha will not make your nicotine withdrawal cravings disappear. Only time can do that. But with 100% herbal shisha, you can still have the pleasure and ritual of a smoke without harming the health of yourself or anyone hanging around you.
Is Herbal Shisha Legal?
Herbal shisha will not get you high, but perhaps a little light-headed. As hookah smoking was meant to be done on special occasions or for relaxation and socialization at the end of the day, it is perhaps best to stay at home or at least not drive after smoking. Herbal sisha is legal and does (or should not!) contain any mind-altering substances.
Hookah smoking is still considered smoking in the eyes of the law of many countries. If you have anti-smoking in public places legislation where you live, don’t push your luck. If it makes smoke come out of your nose, it’s considered smoking no matter what device you use and what herb or dried leaf you smoke. It is best to smoke in private at your own home or property.
Legal Smoking Age Still Applies
Also, in most places, you must be at least 18 in order to buy any herbal shisha or a hookah. It does not matter in the eyes of the law if there is any tobacco in what you plan to smoke or not. May online sites also will also insist that all of their customers be at least 18. Check with your individual state, province, city or town laws to be sure what the legal smoking age is where you live.
Perhaps with time the general non smoking public will be made aware of the limited dangers and much better smelling smoke presented to them by smokers of 100% tobacco free herbal shisha.