UAE samples new 'healthier' nicotine-free shisha

Shisha smokers in the UAE are being given an apparently ‘healthier’ nicotine and tar-free alternative, UAE daily The National has reported.

The new product, Shiazo Steam Stone Shisha, is a smoke-free product that creates an aromatic steam by heating up stones, which the manufacturers say gives the same experience as traditional smoking.

“People can use them in exactly the same way they would a normal shisha, except when heat is applied to the hookah-head containing the stones, the aroma fluids within them reach their boiling point and vaporise into a thick, flavourful steam instead of tobacco smoke,” Leila Ostovar, the marketing director of Protrac, was quoted as saying.

“As there is no nicotine or sugar used, there are no side effects. The stones even produce 20% more smoke (or steam) than a traditional hookah, which enhances the experience for many.”

She said regular shisha smokers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, adding that many might even prefer this new product ‘because it doesn't burn the throat and the smell is not as strong for passive smokers’.