Muʽassel

'Muʽassel (also known as Shisha tobacco) is a syrupy tobacco mix containing molasses and vegetable glycerol which is smoked in a hookah. It is also known as Narghile, Waterpipe, Hubble bubble, and Hookah tobacco.

History

The use of Muʽassel started in the 15th century in the Middle East and is believed to have originated in India. It was initially used as a method to purify and clean the tobacco smoke through water.

Preparation

Muʽassel is prepared by soaking the tobacco leaves in water before they are mixed with molasses or honey and then baked. After this, the mixture is left to cool and then it is mixed with the different flavors. The most common flavors are apple, grape, mint, and lemon.

Health effects

While some people believe that smoking Muʽassel is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, research has shown that it carries the same health risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that a one-hour session of hookah smoking can be as harmful as smoking 100 cigarettes. This is because the smoke that emerges from the hookah contains high levels of harmful substances like carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.

Legal status

The legal status of Muʽassel varies from country to country. In some countries, it is illegal to sell or use it. In others, it is regulated in the same way as other tobacco products.

See also

• Tobacco smoking
• Hookah lounge
• Health effects of tobacco

External links

• WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg): Waterpipe tobacco smoking: health effects, research needs and recommended actions by regulators