Tobacco-Free & Nicotine-Free Shisha: What to Know
More lounges now offer herbal or tobacco-free shisha. It's popular with people who want the ritual and flavour without tobacco. Here's what it actually is.
What it is
Herbal shisha replaces tobacco with a base like sugarcane fibre or tea leaves, soaked in the same kind of flavoured molasses. You get the flavour and the clouds, without the tobacco leaf.
Is it nicotine-free?
Most herbal shisha is nicotine-free — but not all, so check. "Tobacco-free" and "nicotine-free" aren't always the same thing; ask the lounge if it matters to you.
Is it healthier?
It removes tobacco and (usually) nicotine, but you're still inhaling smoke from burning material and coals, which carries its own risks. It's a different choice, not a risk-free one.
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