Tobacco & Nicotine
Hookah / Shisha
Street names: Shisha, Waterpipe, Nargile, Hubbly bubbly
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Social, relaxing 30–90 min sessions; flavored smooth smoke
- Head buzz from nicotine + charcoal CO
⚠Key risks
- THE 'SAFE' MYTH — water does NOT filter toxins. A 1-hour session = 100–200 cigarettes' smoke volume
- High CO (carbon monoxide) from charcoal — headaches, fainting; dangerous in pregnancy
- Same cancer and heart risks as cigarettes, multiplied by session length
- Infectious sharing: TB, herpes, hepatitis via shared mouthpieces
- Youth social normalization — shisha cafes near universities
- Secondhand smoke harms everyone in the venue
✚Overdose signs
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, fainting
- Nicotine poisoning in novices
📋Quick facts
Also known asShisha, Waterpipe, Nargile, Hubbly bubbly
CategoryTobacco & Nicotine
Schedule / classLegal 18+ in licensed venues (varies); home use legal
AppearanceWaterpipe with flavored tobacco (apple, mint, grape); charcoal-heated; group sessions 30–90 min
Street price$10–$25 per venue session; home pipes $30–$150; shisha $10–$30/250g
Legal statusLegal adult venues; indoor-smoking laws apply; some cities ban flavored shisha
Last updated2026-09-17
Sources: WHO, CDC, EMCDDA
Category comparison — Tobacco & Nicotine
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hookah / Shisha | Legal 18+ in licensed venues | THE 'SAFE' MYTH — water does NOT filter toxins. A 1-hour session = 100–200 cigarettes' smoke volume; High CO (carbon monoxide) from charcoal — headaches, fainting; dangerous in pregnancy | $10–$25 per venue session |
| Cigarettes | Legal 18/21+ worldwide; advertising heavily restricted | THE leading preventable cause of death — 8 million deaths/year globally, ~480,000/year US; Half of long-term smokers die from it: lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, stroke | $5–$15 per pack |
| Nicotine E-Cigarettes & Disposables | Legal 18/21+; FDA authorization required | THE teen nicotine epidemic — 2023-2025: disposables with up to 5% (50 mg/mL) nicotine salt, designed for addiction; Adolescent brain development disruption — attention, learning, mood regulation, impulse control | $5–$25 per disposable |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Hookah / Shisha look like?
Waterpipe with flavored tobacco (apple, mint, grape); charcoal-heated; group sessions 30–90 min
What are the signs of a Hookah / Shisha overdose?
Carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, fainting; Nicotine poisoning in novices Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
THE 'SAFE' MYTH — water does NOT filter toxins. A 1-hour session = 100–200 cigarettes' smoke volume Dependence can develop with regular use.