Does Hookah Have Nicotine?

02Dec 2025 by Quit Smoking Advisors

Many people believe hookah is safer than cigarettes because the smoke passes through water and often tastes smoother. But despite its sweet flavors and social atmosphere, hookah does contain nicotine — often in significant amounts.

This guide explains how much nicotine is in hookah, how it compares to cigarettes, how hookah tobacco is made, and the health effects you should know about.

What Is Hookah Tobacco?

Hookah tobacco — also called shisha, maassel, or waterpipe tobacco — is a mixture of:

  • Tobacco leaves
  • Molasses or honey
  • Glycerin
  • Fruit or dessert flavorings

Even “herbal” or “nicotine-free” shisha has additives that produce thick, sweet smoke, but most traditional hookah products contain real tobacco and therefore nicotine.

Does Hookah Contain Nicotine?

Yes. Nearly all traditional hookah tobacco contains nicotine.

Even after passing through water:

  • Nicotine remains in the smoke,
  • Is inhaled, and
  • Can enter your bloodstream quickly.

Hookah is not nicotine-free unless explicitly labeled “0 nicotine” — and even some “nicotine-free” versions may still produce harmful byproducts when burned.

How Much Nicotine Is in Hookah?

Nicotine levels vary by brand and style, but here are general comparisons:

One typical hookah session (45–60 minutes):

  • Nicotine delivered ≈ 0.5 mg to 4 mg
  • Some strong blends deliver more

One cigarette:

  • Nicotine delivered ≈ 1 mg

However, the true issue is not the nicotine per puff — it’s the length and volume of a hookah session.

A single hookah session can involve hundreds of inhalations, lasting up to an hour or more.
This means a hookah user may absorb similar or greater total nicotine than someone who smokes one or more cigarettes.

Why Hookah Still Delivers Nicotine (Even Through Water)

Many people assume the water filters out nicotine.

But nicotine is highly water-soluble only when in liquid form, not in smoke particles.
In hookah smoke, nicotine is bound with:

  • Heated glycerin
  • Molasses vapors
  • Tiny particulate matter

The water cools the smoke but does not remove nicotine.

Studies show that:

  • Water absorbs only a small fraction of nicotine
  • Most nicotine passes through unchanged

This is why regular hookah users may still experience:

  • Nicotine buzz
  • Dependence
  • Withdrawal symptoms

Signs Hookah Is Delivering Nicotine

If you feel any of these effects during or after a session, you are absorbing nicotine:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Relaxation “buzz”
  • Mild head rush
  • Faster heart rate
  • Slight nausea if overused
  • Irritability or cravings later

These are nicotine’s typical physiological responses.

Does Hookah Cause Nicotine Dependence?

Yes.
The nicotine in hookah can lead to:

  • Habit formation
  • Cravings
  • Withdrawal when stopping
  • Increased tolerance

Social use does not eliminate the addiction potential — nicotine dependence is biochemical, not social.

How Hookah Compares to Cigarettes for Nicotine Intake

Hookah delivers:

  • Lower nicotine per puff
  • But far more puffs and longer sessions

Cigarettes deliver:

  • Higher nicotine concentration per puff
  • Shorter duration (5–7 minutes)

When comparing total nicotine absorbed, a full hookah session can be similar to:

  • 1–3 cigarettes, or more depending on brand and length of use

What About Herbal or “Nicotine-Free” Hookah?

Some brands sell “herbal shisha” made from:

  • Tea leaves
  • Sugar cane fibers
  • Fruit pulp
  • Herbs

These products may contain zero nicotine, but:

  • They still produce tar, carbon monoxide, and smoke toxins
  • They still involve charcoal, which releases carbon monoxide
  • They can still irritate the lungs and throat

So while nicotine may be eliminated, smoke-related risks remain.

Other Harmful Substances in Hookah Smoke

Even if nicotine were removed, hookah smoke contains:

  • Carbon monoxide (from charcoal)
  • Tar
  • Heavy metals
  • PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Ultrafine particles deeply inhaled into the lungs

Hookah’s cooling effect makes the smoke feel smoother, leading users to inhale more deeply and more frequently.

Health Effects Linked to Hookah Nicotine and Smoke

Even occasional hookah use can impact the body:

Short-term effects:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Mild rise in blood pressure
  • Dizziness or nausea
  • Carbon monoxide exposure

Long-term risks:

  • Nicotine dependence
  • Heart disease
  • Lung irritation or chronic bronchitis
  • Reduced lung function
  • Increased risk of cancer
  • Secondhand smoke exposure to others

Hookah does not eliminate the harms of tobacco; it simply changes the delivery method.

Key Takeaways

  • Yes, hookah contains nicotine unless explicitly labeled otherwise.
  • The water in a hookah does not remove nicotine.
  • A single session can deliver as much nicotine as several cigarettes.
  • Hookah smoke also contains tar, carbon monoxide, and toxic compounds.
  • “Herbal” hookah may remove nicotine but not smoke-related toxins.

Hookah may feel smoother and more social than cigarettes, but the nicotine and health risks remain real.