Smoking shisha is a social pastime of old often perceived to be less harmful than other tobacco products like cigarettes.
In this article, we make a comparison between the two primary shisha variants you can partake: herbal and tobacco shisha.
What is Herbal Shisha?
Herbal shisha is made from blending different non-tobacco plant materials like herbs and fruits instead of tobacco leaves.
It typically implements aromatic substances like fruit pulp, sugar cane fibers, molasses, tea leaves and honey. Thus, it is a nicotine free product offering similar smoking experience to traditional shisha.
What is Shisha Tobacco?
Shisha tobacco is a specially prepared tobacco variant consisting of flavoring agents and sweeteners like molasses and honey. The result is an aromatic and flavorful smoke you can consume via hookah pipes.
Shisha tobacco is usually moist and sticky often containing ingredients like glycerin to maintain its moist property and enhance smoke smoothness.
Difference Between Herbal Shisha and Tobacco Shisha
Composition and Ingredients
· Herbal Shisha
Replaces tobacco with nicotine-free alternatives like herbs, sugarcane fibers, fruit or tea leaves as the primary material. For flavoring agents, herbal shisha can use either natural or artificial flavors such as mint or fruit to mimic the taste of traditional shisha.
Sweeteners like honey, molasses, or glycerin are added to create moisture and enhance sweetness just like traditional shisha. You may also find use of additives including fruit extracts for extra flavor and aroma.
· Tobacco Shisha
Made using tobacco leaves as the primary material, tobacco shisha contains nicotine. Flavoring agents like spice flavors, fruit or mint are added to the tobacco for a more defined taste and aroma. Tobacco shisha also includes sweeteners and humectants like molasses, honey, or glycerin. These help keep the tobacco moist and sticky capable of producing thick and smooth smoke.
Shisha Flavor
· Herbal Shisha
Absence of tobacco gives herbal shisha a more neutral base, allowing you to feel the flavors more purely. Herbal shisha as a result tends to have a smooth, lighter, often sweeter profile, from its use of desserts, florals or natural fruit flavors.
· Tobacco Shisha
Use of tobacco leaves results in a more intense and longer lasting flavor release with a layered profile. Tobacco shisha has an inherent earthy, even slightly bitter tang when combined with other flavors. The underlying taste complements the added flavors, like mint or coffee resulting in a richer flavor.
Health Implications
· Tobacco Shisha
Natural toxins present in tobacco like formaldehyde and arsenic are released alongside carbon monoxide and tar when smoking tobacco shisha. These are known to significantly increase the risks of cardiovascular issues, respiratory diseases, and cancers (lung and oral cancers).
Some linked respiratory health concerns stemming from regular tobacco shisha smoking include chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. Smoking tobacco shisha can also worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. Cardiovascular risks from nicotine in tobacco shisha includes heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.
Additionally, tobacco shisha can affect oral health resulting in dry mouth, gum disease, and even tooth decay. Prolonged use also poses as increased risk of oral cancers due to the carcinogenic nature of tobacco. Furthermore, since tobacco shisha contains nicotine, regular use can lead to nicotine dependence, and thus addiction.
You can learn more about health effects of smoking shisha.
· Herbal Shisha
While it lacks nicotine, the smoke produced in herbal shisha can cause health implications such as respiratory problems. Herbal shisha smoke contains harmful toxins like tar and carbon monoxide which you inhale into the lungs.
Prolonged use over time increases the risk of cancer though not as high as when smoking tobacco shisha.
Herbal shisha can also cause irritation of the respiratory tract, resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and bronchial inflammation. Absence of nicotine lowers the risk of increased heart rate and blood pressure. Nonetheless, continued exposure to carbon monoxide can strain the heart and result in development of cardiovascular problems.
Legal Regulations
Herbal Shisha
Herbal shisha is considered as a tobacco alternative and can have less stringent age restrictions in some jurisdictions. However, its use falls in a legal gray area and some local laws subject it to the same age restrictions as tobacco shisha.
By and large, since it is not a tobacco product, herbal shisha is not required to carry health warnings. However, some countries still mandate labeling to warn on the risks of smoke inhalation.
Since herbal shisha is nicotine free, advertising restrictions in some places can be eased allowing advertising unlike tobacco products. However, in some regions, restrictions still apply to prevent promotion of smoking-related behaviors on targeted demographics like minors.
Tobacco Shisha
Tobacco shisha attracts strict regulation like other tobacco products in most countries with age restrictions usually 18 or 21. Failure to adhere to these restrictions may result in liability and extraction of penalties for non-compliance.
Many countries slap stringent packaging and labeling regulations on tobacco shisha. These include having labels with prominent health warnings related to smoking tobacco shisha. Additionally, some countries may also impose use of warning images and plain packaging laws that limit branding.
Furthermore, many countries heavily regulate advertising for tobacco shisha, with some altogether banning any form of advertising. In addition, tobacco shisha is many times subject to the similar public smoking bans as cigarettes.
Comparing Benefits of Herbal Shisha vs. Tobacco Shisha
- Herbal shisha offers a nicotine-free experience appealing to individuals who want to avoid nicotine’s addictive properties and the health risks. Tobacco shisha provides the traditional hookah experience, especially for those who appreciate the stimulant effects of nicotine.
- Since it contains no nicotine, herbal shisha poses reduced or no risk of addiction, ideal for those wanting to avoid dependence. The addictive element provided by tobacco shisha is alluring to some users and also a downside to others.
- Tobacco absence in herbal shisha gives it a purer and smoother flavor profile, allowing added flavors to stand out. Tobacco gives tobacco shisha a unique, strong and layered taste that enriches the flavor experience.
- Herbal shisha offers a gentler smoking experience less harsh on the throat and lungs suited for light smokers. The thick smoke in tobacco shisha can be harsh to new users but more satisfying for experienced smokers.
- While smoke inhalation carries risks, herbal shisha has lower risks owing to the absence of nicotine and tobacco-specific carcinogens. Smoking tobacco shisha carries higher risks on prolonged use from the tobacco toxins.
- Herbal shisha is available in many flavors just like with tobacco shisha, making it a versatile choice. Tobacco shisha offers a broad flavor palate the combined with its tobacco base offers a rich layered experience.
FAQs
1. Is Herbal Shisha Bad for you?
Herbal shisha is not entirely healthier than tobacco shisha and carries some health risks. Exposure to carbon monoxide and other toxins from charcoal can contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Ultimately, prolonged smoking can increase risk of getting cancer.
2. Is there a Healthy Version of Shisha?
There is no completely healthy version of shisha, since any form of smoke inhalation bears negative health effects. Nonetheless, some options with reduced health risks associated with traditional shisha smoking includes:
- Steam stones which are smoke-free
- E-hookahs and shisha pens
- Hookahs that heat rather than burn the herbal shisha.
- Herbal shishas using electric heat source.
3. What is the Difference Between Herbal Hookah and Normal Hookah?
Herbal hookah offers a nicotine-free experience and thus reduced health risks in comparison. With normal hookah, you get the traditional tobacco experience with nicotine, exposing you to the associated health risks and addiction potential.
Conclusion
The choice between herbal shisha and tobacco shisha is largely dependent on personal preferences, desired flavor profiles, and health considerations. Ultimately, smoking in any form poses negative health repercussions.
