Category: Hookah Shop

What Are Some Health Effects of Hookah?

admin |

If you’re like most people, you probably think of hookah as nothing more than a fun social activity. Also known as a waterpipe, hookah is a traditional smoking device that has been used for centuries in the Middle East and South Asia. Though often associated with nightclubs and cafes, hookah smoking is quite different from cigarettes or cigars. However, you should be aware of some risks associated with smoking hookah. Here are some of the side effects of hookah smoking.

Causes Cancer

Cancer is one of the most serious health effects of smoking hookah. Hookah smoking has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer. The tobacco in hookah contains many of the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes, including tar and nicotine. These substances can damage your lungs and lead to cancer.

In addition to lung cancer, hookah smoking has also been linked to other types of cancer. These include throat, stomach, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. The risk of developing these cancers is increased when hookah smoking is combined with other risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s even more important to avoid smoking hookah.

Increase the Risk of Heart Disease

Waterpipe smoking delivers large amounts of nicotine that can narrow your arteries. Thus increasing the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Also, the charcoal used to heat the tobacco in a hookah releases carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas that can also increase your risk of heart disease.

Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

The tobacco in hookah contains high levels of sugar, which can lead to cavities. More so, the charcoal used to heat the tobacco releases toxins that can damage your gums. These toxins can cause inflammation and infection, which can lead to gum disease. Gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss. Hookah smoking is also associated with other oral health problems, such as leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white patches to form on the inside of your cheek. These patches are caused by irritation from tobacco smoke and are a precancerous condition.

Respiratory Illnesses

Hookah smoking is associated with a greater risk of respiratory illnesses. These include bronchitis, lung infections, and emphysema. The risk of these illnesses is increased when hookah smoking is combined with other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s even more important to avoid smoking hookah.

Weakened Immune System

The chemicals in hookah smoke can damage the cells in your body that help fight off disease. This will make one more susceptible to illnesses and infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Fertility Issues

Smoking hookah has also been associated with fertility issues in both men and women. In men, smoking hookah can reduce sperm count and motility. In women, it can damage the eggs and make it more difficult to conceive. If you’re trying to get pregnant, avoid smoking hookah.

Miscarriages and Low Birth Weight

For pregnant women, hookah smoking has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriages and low birth weight. This is because the nicotine in tobacco smoke can reduce the blood flow to the placenta. This can cause the placenta to detach from the uterus, which can lead to a miscarriage. In addition, smoking hookah can restrict the growth of the fetus, resulting in low birth weight.

Brain Damage

Nicotine is a neurotoxin that can damage the brain. Studies have shown that smoking hookah can lead to changes in the brain that are associated with memory problems and depression.

As you can see, there are many dangers of hookah. In case you’re considering taking up this habit, it’s crucial to be aware of these risks. If you do smoke hookah, it’s vital to take steps to protect your health. These include using a mouthpiece, avoiding sharing hookahs, and avoiding smoking when you’re pregnant.

A Glimpse of the History of Hookah

admin |

Hookah is also known as kalian, nargileh, or shisha. It involves smoking flavored tobacco from a water pipe which is then passed among family or friends. Hookah is centered around socialization and promotes connectedness among the individuals who are participating. It is also deeply rooted in a cultural tradition. Continue reading to learn more about the history of hookah.

The History of Hookah

16th Century

The origins of hookah begin in the 16th century in India. The first hookah dates back to when Indian glass manufacturing started, as a result of exporting Indian glass via the British Eash Indian Company. During this time, more and more people began smoking tobacco, especially noblemen in high society. Hookah was invented in an attempt to purify smoke via water in a glass base known as shisha. With this new design in place, the hookah soon became known as a way for noblemen to show off their high social status.

17th Century

Hookah became a part of Persian culture where dark, strong leaf tobacco known as Ajami was used. The look of the pipe was redefined via various woodworking techniques which ended up putting the hookah innovation in motion. During this time, hookah first became accessible to everyone and the industry of hookah servants emerged.

18th Century

During the 18th century, shisha migrated into Turkish culture and continued to become more popular via means of even more innovation. The most recent appearance of the shisha was dated out and replaced with intricate brass designs and with religious and royal markings. Shisha was well known in Turkish high society and was a symbol of status. It was smoked following royal dinners and at diplomatic meetings. It also became an important sign of trust when shisha was offered to guests. Thus, withholding it could have been taken as an insult.

19th Century

It was during this period that the hookah tradition moved into the Middle East. Many people in Egypt used various forms of tobacco and mixed it with honey or molasses. It was also during this time when a purge port was integrated into the heart of shisha to cool down the tobacco in an effort to make the flavors more intense. This is what changed the course of the history of hookah entirely.

20th Century

Throughout this period, hookah traditions continued to deepen in cultures throughout Turkey, the Middle East, Persia, India, and in nearby countries including Armenia, Pakistan, and Israel. Every culture put its own spin on the design elements of pipes. By the late 1900s, hookah became popular on every continent as immigrants from these countries brought their customs with them to share a piece of their culture with different worlds.

21st Century

It was during this period that the hookah industry made its way into the United States as early pioneers discovered ways to improve the quality of products via modern technology. Innovations in various flavor options beyond just the traditional options were also made available.

Hookah has hardly broken from tradition today around the world and in the U.S. It is still seen as a way to show respect and provide good hospitality that started ages ago.

Setting Up a Hookah

admin |

Hookah bars have grown in popularity in recent years. However, you no longer have to go out to enjoy hookah as many people are now enjoying hookah at home. If you’re new to hookah, the process of setting up a hookah can seem a bit daunting.

But don’t worry — it’s quite easy! Let’s take a step-by-look at setting up a hookah at home.

How To Set Up a Hookah at Home

To set up a hookah, you’ll need:

1. Choose a Hookah

The first step is choosing a hookah. There are many types, sizes, and styles of hookahs available on the market, so there’s definitely one out there that’s perfect for you. Once you’ve found your perfect hookah, it’s time to set it up.

2. Prepare the Hookah Bowl

Now is time to prepare the hookah bowl. To do this, start by placing the bowl grommet onto the stem of the hookah. Once the grommet is in place, take your hookah bowl and set it upside down on top of the stem.

Take your scissors and make a few small cuts around the edge of the foil. Be careful not to cut too deeply — you just want to make enough of an opening that the tobacco will be able to breathe.

3. Place the Foil

Get your foil and place it over the bowl. Once the foil is in place, use your tongs to gently press down around the edges, ensuring that the foil is snug against the bowl.

4. Add the Hookah Charcoal

The next step is to add the hookah charcoal. This is what will heat the tobacco and produce the smoke. To add the charcoal, simply place it on top of the foil.

5. Prepare the Hookah Tobacco

Start by taking a small amount of tobacco and loosely packing it into the bowl. Once the tobacco is packed, use your tongs to gently press it down until it’s snug against the foil.

6. Place the Hookah Hose

Now it’s time to place the hookah hose onto the stem of the hookah. Once the hose is in place, put the hose grommet onto the stem (if you’re using one).

7. Fill the Hookah Base With Water

The final step is to fill the hookah base with water. Be sure to not fill it too full — you just want enough water to cover the down-stem of the hookah.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to enjoy your hookah. Just light the charcoal, sit back, and relax. You now know how to set up hookah at home.

Why Use Coconut Charcoal?

admin |

The fact is that if you’re a hookah enthusiast, using natural hookah charcoal is a must. Charcoal that uses natural ingredients like lemonwood, bamboo and coconut shell means that you’ll have a clean, chemical-free experience, unlike with quick-light charcoal. This leads to a longer, cleaner burn that results in less ash in the hookah bowl and better flavor.

Read on to learn more about the best coals for hookah.

Coconut shell charcoal

This is the most popular choice for hookah charcoal, as well as a very eco-friendly choice. Coconuts are harvested, but the trees are not cut down in the production of these coals. Typically, the coconuts are harvested in tropical places like Indonesia.

Then the coconut is melted into a paste. Prior to the paste hardening, the shell is compressed and made into coconut charcoal. This process leads to considerably-longer burn times than with traditional quick-light charcoal briquettes.

But the benefits don’t stop at much longer smoking sessions. Using coconut charcoal briquettes means you’ll get more flavor out of the tobacco. You’ll have less ash and will reduce the chances of cracking, as the smoke and heat are more evenly distributed. Using coconut charcoal eliminates the inclusion of any dangerous, flammable chemicals as well.

Perhaps the only negative of using coconut shell charcoal is that it’s not quite as convenient. As you might expect, coconut and other natural-charcoal briquettes don’t light as quickly as charcoal that includes flammable elements. To get coconut shell charcoal started, you’ll need an electric coil charcoal burner and about six to eight minutes. That said, you’ll only need to light one round instead of lighting new quick-light charcoal once every 15 minutes.

How to use coconut charcoal

Find an electric coil burner that’s reliable, or use a stovetop that has good ventilation. Place the briquettes directly onto the coils until one side glows red; then flip the briquettes. Once they’re glowing, utilize some hookah tongs, and put them into the bowl. Then enjoy your smoke session. Once you’re done, put the charcoal in water to extinguish them before throwing them away.

Which coconut charcoal brands are best?

There are many brands out there for coconut shell charcoal along with other natural briquettes. Some of them include CocoVapor Charcoal, Fumari Fuoco Coals, Charco Flare Charcoal and Cocourth Charcoal. No matter which one you pick, you’ll have a smoke session that’s bound to satisfy. You can pick up these leading brands at your local smoke shop. Rest assured that switching to a natural charcoal will enhance your hookah experience for the better.

We hope these tips for better hookah sessions are helpful. Emporium Tobacco & Gifts is your supplier for everything related to hookahs. We carry an extensive range of hookah supplies along with flavored hookah tobacco and more. Everything you need to smoke hookah is right here in our shop. Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer all your questions. Stop by today or contact us now to learn more about all we have to offer.

Hookah Accessories Worth Buying

admin |

Whether you have been using hookahs for years or you have just tried hookah for the first time, there are lots of things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable. There are a lot of different accessories that can improve the hookah experience, but many people aren’t sure where to start with hookah supplies and accessories. If you’re interested in improving your hookah experience, keep reading to learn about some of the best hookah accessories for beginners and experienced smokers alike.

Customizable hookah components

Here are some of the most important accessories to purchase for a hookah to improve your hookah experience with personalized features and characteristics:

Find quality hookah accessories

If you’re looking for the best hookah supplies for your needs, stop by Emporium Tobacco & Gifts. For over 20 years, we have been providing customers throughout the Rutland area with high-quality smoke and vaping products and accessories to fit their unique needs. No matter what you’re looking for, our team is here to provide you with personalized recommendations and help you find the products that are right for you. Find out more about what we have to offer by stopping by today.