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Last updated July 2025
Read time 5 minutes
Shisha is addictive. Just like cigarettes and most vapes, shisha smoke contains nicotine, one of the most addictive substances known. People who smoke shisha daily can feel just as addicted as people who smoke cigarettes.
The water in shisha pipes does not filter out the harmful chemicals. Most of the tar and fine particles pass through the water.
Shisha smoke is just as harmful as cigarette smoke. The moist, cooler smoke from the shisha might seem less irritating to the throat than cigarette smoke but it’s just as harmful.
It smells like apple, how bad can it be? The waterpipe might have a fruity or sweet smell but it’s not healthier or safer than smoking.
What about tobacco-free shisha? Shishas labelled “tobacco free” generate similar and sometimes more toxins than tobacco waterpipe products.
Shishas with gadgets are just as harmful: Some waterpipes are labelled as being less harmful. They may have mouthpieces containing activated charcoal or cotton, or they may have chemical additives or plastic mesh fittings to create smaller bubbles. None of these have been found to reduce exposure to toxins or tobacco-related disease.
For more information about Waterpipe tobacco smoking (shisha).
Save money, be fitter, live longer. With professional help you can quit smoking cigarettes and shisha for good. The free telephone counselling service, Quitline 13 7848, can help in your language.
Quitline counsellors are experts in helping people to stop smoking. Quitline counsellors listen and find strategies and tips that will work for you. They help you build and sustain your motivation to quit. You can call Quitline with a quick question, but a typical first call takes around 10–20 minutes. The first call often covers your smoking history, your motivation to quit and how smoking fits into your life.
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Shisha may smell nice, but it's just as addictive and harmful as cigarettes.
