1st Class Cigar Humidors cigarette

Smoking is an addiction similar to heroine or cocaine addiction. Despite the fact that our society has become more health conscious in the last few years, millions of people continue to smoke on a regular basis. A person is considered a regular smoker if he smokes at least 1 cigarette a day. Many people smoke up to 2 packs a day or more. With all the warnings these days, it is surprising that so many people choose to continue with this bad habit. Doctors advise that the sooner a person can stop smoking, the more likely he is to reverse the damage that has already been done.

Why do people smoke? One reason may be that advertisers target kids, young adults and women. The ads make smoking look fun and exciting. Ads geared towards women tout the slimming effects of smoking. The ads never mention the wrinkles, smoker’s cough, or health problems that can result from smoking. Movies sometimes make smoking appear glamorous. Peer pressure leads kids to smoke. Many older people may have started smoking years ago before it had such a stigma attached to it. Children who have parents who smoke are likely to start smoking themselves. Some people think smoking makes them look cool. There are many different reasons why people choose to start smoking.

Why is it so hard to stop smoking? As has already been mentioned, smoking is an addiction. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which occurs naturally in tobacco. Nicotine is a physically and psychologically addictive substance. Nicotine gives pleasurable feelings to smokers and makes them want to smoke more. The more a person smokes the more their tolerance to nicotine. As a result, the body needs to maintain a certain level of nicotine. Smokers who attempt to stop smoking experience withdrawal symptoms, which may lead him to begin smoking again. These symptoms can last from several days to several weeks. Other than nicotine, many people find it hard to stop smoking because it is a regular habit that is too hard to break.

Why should people stop smoking? There are many physical effects of smoking such as bad breath, premature wrinkles and stained teeth. Smoking can even alter the taste of food. Smoking is becoming less socially acceptable. Many restaurants no longer have smoking sections and many hospitals are becoming smoke free environments. Smoking is also an expensive habit and cigarette taxes continue to rise to deter people from smoking. Smoking is not only dangerous to the smoker, but it can be bad for the smoker’s loved ones that have to deal with constant secondhand smoke. Then there are the obvious health risks of smoking including lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia.

There are many resources available to help people stop smoking. Nicotine replacement is designed to help a person stop smoking by providing nicotine as a patch or gum, free from the other harmful substances in cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapy cuts down on the withdrawal symptoms that cause so many people to start smoking again. Other treatments include hypnosis, aromatherapy and acupuncture. In addition to these treatments, avoiding situations that encourage smoking is a good idea. Having friends who support the decision to stop smoking is also beneficial. Regardless of how long a person has been smoking, the decision to stop smoking is the best decision he will ever make

How to Make Apple Shisha

There are many cigarette accessories that complete a smoker's kit. Chief among them are cigarette cases, lighters and holders.

Cigarette cases are most useful when cigarettes have to be stored in small amounts while traveling or on a long journey. However, cigarette cases have today achieved the dual usage of not only storing cigarettes in them, but also creating or adding to the personality of the person using the cigarette case.

A cigarette case has become as much of a external symbol as a leather jacket, cell phone or any other external accessory. There are a range of cigarette cases available in the market. The cases are made to fit various personalities and both genders. The cigarette cases can fit filtered as well as non-filtered cigarettes. The number of cigarettes that can be stored in a case differs. Normally, they can hold up to eighteen cigarettes.

The cases are made out of a number of materials. Some of the popular materials used are gold, silver, brass, leather, chrome or aluminum. Some cases can be embossed upon, for that personal touch. Cigarette cases are also available in customized patterns.

Special cigarette cases are available for women. Some of them are designed as purses and can match outfits. Velvet, PVC and leather are among the chief materials used to prepare these cigarette cases.

Cigarette cases are used by various companies whose products are extensively used by cigarette smokers. Magazines like Playboy, cigarette-lighter manufacturing companies like Zippo and BIC, and liquor companies like Jack Daniels have their own line of cigarette cases.

How To Make Your Own Shisha, Shisha Recipes cigarette

One of the most important and useful accessories for smokers is the cigarette holder. Cigarette holders are generally used by smokers to prevent smokers’ lips from touching the cigarette, and to keep their hands clean. A cigarette holder is tubular, with a broad end to receive the filtered end of the cigarette. The other end is narrow and is contoured to be held with the lips and be clenched into place with the teeth, if desired. Cigarette holders for non-filtered cigarettes are also available.

There are many kinds of cigarette holders, and cigarette lighters and cigarette cases. And like cases and lighters, they are made to add to the personality of the holder. The various materials used to make cigarette holders include wood, ivory, ebony, teak, and precious metals like gold, silver and platinum.

To add to the beauty and style of the cigarette holders, they are sometimes encrusted with diamonds or other precious stones, or have hand-sculpted embossing.

Some cigarette holders come with a manual ejection system, in which the used part of the cigarette is pushed out manually. Many modern cigarette holders come with a cigarette filter system, which might contain an acetate or charcoal-based filter. Additionally, disposable filters also come with flavors that might range from menthol to cherry. The use of acetate filters have come up to question recently, because they are said to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

A very famous type of cigarette holder is the telescopic variety. The telescopic or retractable cigarette holder is mostly used by women smokers, and is also used to complete the 'Diva' look by many celebrities. Many male smokers also prefer this kind of cigarette holder if it has been crafted to more 'macho' parameters. Many manufacturers offer a range of such cigarette holders.

Many high-profile cigarette manufacturers have their own line of custom-made cigarette holders, and these are in great demand by discerning smokers.

Hookah Smoking Caterpillar cigarette

Whether you just quit smoking or are still a smoker, you must admit to yourself that your home probably reeks of cigarette smell. You may be used to it but other people who enter your home are probably gagging each time they visit. Even worse, they try to avoid visiting you because of the smell. As a non-smoker, I avoid smoky places in general and if I have a friend that smokes, I refuse to let them smoke in my home. When we moved into our first home, the previous owners were heavy smokers. Everything smelled of smoke from the walls to the floor. We had to do some major deep cleaning to get the smell out. It is amazing how much damage cigarette smoke can do.

Air Purifiers

Purchasing an air purifier or multiple ones to distribute throughout your home can help clean the air of the nasty cigarette smell. Most work excellent but do research on top brands to see which one will give you more bang for your buck. Reading reviews on shopping sites like Amazon.com will give you a good idea of which ones do a good job.

Change Your Carpet

Sorry to say but sometimes even deep cleaning your carpets cannot permanently remove the smell of cigarettes from your home. You may have to have new carpet installed or switch to tile or wood floors. Cigarette smoke tends to stay in fabrics and carpet is no different. Once we installed new carpet in our home, it removed at least 90% of the smell.

Steam Clean Your Furniture

Getting new furniture can put a dent in the pocketbook so it is probably best to hire professionals to steam clean the fabric of your furniture. If you're on a budget you can try order eliminators you can find in the supermarket, however, these products often only mask the oder. Steam cleaning gets deeper an it will make your furniture look new again.

Cleaning the Walls

As I mentioned before, our home used to be owned by heavy smokers. The walls and moldings in certain parts of the house were covered with brown and yellow stains. To say it is disgusting is an understatement. It is a lot of work but you have to buckle down and clean these surfaces. You can try using a mixture of vinegar, water, and baking soda to clean walls, moldings, and doors.

Quit Smoking

Obviously the number one way to remove the cigarette smell in your home is to quit smoking! Since this isn't the answer for smokers or if you are in the process of trying to quit, then at least smoke outside or designate one room for smoking so that other parts of your home won't begin to accumulate the gross smell of cigarette smoke again. If you go through the trouble of keeping your home smoke free, the least you can do is not repeat the process. Quit smoking cigarettes is the best thing you can do, not only for your home, but more importantly for your health!

Hookah-Lover’s favourite cigarette flavour poll

As a former smoker I know what it is like when your craving a cigarette. You get fidgety and that cigarette is all you think about. I also know how hard it is to quit smoking as it took me years to find a way. If you have tried all the ways to quit smoking and are ready to stop craving a cigarette then keep reading.

Smokers equate many daily activities with a cigarette. We smoke when were driving, when we get nervous, when were stressed out, or especially after we eat a big meal. Smokers look at a a cigarette as a way to relax and get a break from what ever it is we have just done. I tried every patch, pill and program that is out there and nothing worked for me. That is until a friend told me to try self hypnosis.

For smokers our subconscious mind equates eating, stress, driving and relaxation with a cigarette. what self hypnosis does is allow us to give our subconscious positive suggestions that we do not need to smoke. Some people are scared of hypnosis or call it crap, but I'm here to tell you that as one who used to believe that I was wrong.

Hypnosis is nothing more than a deep relaxation. You go into self hypnosis everyday and do not ever realize it. Have you ever been driving and all of sudden been further down the road than you realized? That's self hypnosis. It is nothing more than being able to go into a deep state of relaxation.

What worked for me was to get a script that I could read into a tape recorder and play it back to my self right before I went to bed. I just filled in the blanks with positive suggestions that I did not need to smoke and that cigarettes made me feel horrible.

I have now been cigarette free for 3 years. The cravings went away after a week of listening to my tape every night. Every once in a while I will get an urge but I just listen to my recording and I won't have another one for months.

I know how hard it is when your craving a cigarette. You can kick this habit I guarantee it.

How To Make Your Own Shisha, cigarette Recipes

I know that you may be thinking that trying to quit cigarette smoking seems impossible because I know that I did. You see, those evil cigarette company executives sit around their shiny, expensive table thinking of ways to make more addictive cigarettes and more people to smoke them and suffer.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it doesn't involve wasting lots of time and money on the patches, pills, and nicotine supplements. I was extremely skeptical about smoking addiction cures as I was a smoker for 25 years - more than half my life - and I had tried all of those ways above and more to try to kill this deadly habit.

Before I tell you what this is which I know will change your life so much as it did mine, read about this tip that I found out helped me a lot on my journey to quit cigarette smoking.

1) Dig deep and find a reason other than your own, personal health's sake to quit for.

Now I know that you know that smoking is very bad for your health and I know that you're tired of hearing about that all of the time, because, it's not that we smokers smoke because it's bad for us.

But just do some soul searching and find someone who you love or care about to quit for...whether it's your parents, wife, husband, kids, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends, or just so you can enjoy your retirement more and live longer. Find a reason to quit cigarette smoking other than yourself. You'll be surprised how much that will work for you as it did for me.

My reason to quit was for my wife and kids. I found out how much money I was wasting on killing myself with those cigs every week and now use that money to put into my kids' college funds. Quit for someone you love.

need shisha

Fantastic! What a wonderful place to relax. Just put your wallet, keys and phone in the safe and chill out in Magnificent surroundings The hotel in the resort of Taba Heights, Sinai. The hotel is designed the style of a Nubian Village and really sets the mark in Taba.

The views and grounds are spectacular - you can see Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel at over the gulf of Aqua on the Red sea. At night this is particularly stunning as the mountains take on a red hue reminiscent of sunset at Ayres Rock in Australia.

The hotel has its own huge, 500 metre stretch of beach on the Red Sea where you can snorkel straight off the beach amongst the beautiful coral Reef.

There's more than enough sun-lounges (and the hotel was full) and food which is great. The staff are friendly and can't do enough to help.

If you want to go out and party beware! There are hardly any Bars or restaurants out side of the hotel Complexes. However, we were given a dine around card at reception which allowed us to eat in the Neighbouring hotels including the Intercontinental, Sofitel & the Marriott. Most of these hotels were within a 15 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency. Not that you could get bored with the food at the Hyatt there are over 5 restaurants to choose from all with an International theme.

One evening we went in to on a Bedouin feast hosted in the desert by the local Bedouins. Where we drank tea, danced, and smoked the customary Shisha pipe. One day during our our stay we went to Water world for the day they have a range of water sports and diving classes for all levels. The underwater scenery was unforgettable.

Due to the remoteness' & tranquility it is recommended that you take plenty of reading material as the books and Magazines they have on offer in the hotels are limited and Expensive.

Overall I can say that this hotel is definitely worthy of its 5star Grading and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go and really want to relax within a peaceful setting.

I can recommend booking with online company Holiday click who specialise in Taba Egyptian holidays. I found their staff very helpful and knowledgeable. We went in Early July and paid £429 for 7 nights half board and were given a free upgrade to sea view on arrival.

A Tea House एंड Shisha

You may not find a plethora of activities in Marsa Alam itself but it is in close proximity to many other wonderful worlds of the past and the present alike to explore.

Diving holidays are all the rage though when it comes to Marsa Alam which is home to Elphinstone Reef as well as Dolphin House Reef (also refereed to as Sha'ab Samadai). You can also enjoy great snorkeling in these waters as well.

Beach holidays can be enjoyed near Marsa Alam like few other places on earth because it is still quite possible to find deserted beaches to explore. The area developed much more quickly as a vacation haven than anticipated leaving many stretches of beach wide open for lone exploration rather than the general overcrowding often experienced in typical holiday hot spots. If you are really brave you can smoke a Shisha pipe on the beach, which many find relaxing. What it is is a water pipe that is filled with water and then filled with a very mild tobacco and smoked. It is said that the water chamber actually takes the bitterness out of smoking process.

You should also take some time out of your busy holiday plans to visit Wadi Gimal where you can find wild gazelles. It is a drive but worth the effort to get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures. Relaxation is another thing you should try to include in your holiday plans to Marsa Alam. Life moves at a different pace around here and it would be a shame to hurry things up when you could be enjoying the true reason for a holiday - rest and relation. Take time to enjoy the sunshine and the beach. Go window shopping, sit down and enjoy a two hour lunch for no reason other than you can. Walk along the beach with your special someone or help your favorite little one construct a sand castle the gods of the ancient Egyptians would have been envious of.

There are many reasons to take family holidays to Mars Alam, one of the best though is the fact that this is an area that hasn't been ruined by the holiday industry (at least not yet). This means that you can enjoy the slower pace and won't feel the need to pack your trip with countless things to do, see, and explore. You can really enjoy just spending time with the people you love most in the world. For cheap holidays, these types of holidays are the best holidays to be had. So check out what late deals to Mars Alam you can find today. Whether you dive or not this an excellent and largely undiscovered holiday destination worth remembering.

special shisha

Istanbul is unlike any other city in Europe - or Asia for that matter. It combines influences from two cultures, juxtaposing east and west, Christianity and Islam.

But although it straddles two continents, the city doesn't feel as disjointed as you might expect. After a few days here, it somehow seems to work together, adding up to a unique experience.

Staying in Istanbul

Cheap stays are easy to find and mostly good quality. Better still; many Istanbul hostels are centrally located in the Sultanahmet district of the city.

We stayed at the Bahaus hostel on Bayramfirin Sokak. The rooms were nice and clean, and the staff were friendly. But where it really stood out from the crowd was in its café/bar roof terrace - the great panoramic view of the historical sights below had to be seen to be believed!

Things to see and do

The fascinating mix of religion is most visible in Sultanahmet, where Aya Sofya (the ancient Byzantine Church) and Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) stand opposite each other. Both renowned monuments are appropriately grand and, as an insight into Istanbul's history, equally fascinating.

This is the main historical center, where several museums and the Topkapi Palace can also be found.

Overall, Istanbul's assorted museums can be a bit overwhelming unless you plan on staying for a week or so. I'd recommend the Miniaturk at Beyoglu for a good overview of Turkish culture.

It's a modern open-air museum with a large enough range of artifacts to satisfy even the keenest tourist. The open-air aspect adds an element of interest, too, and it's nice to be able to appreciate the weather as well as the exhibits on a warm day.

The world famous Kapali Carsi (covered bazaar) is also worth a visit. Although it can look confusing at first, the shops are arranged on a grid system and grouped according to type (e.g. jewelry, antiques etc.) so it's not as disorientating as it seems.

However, for serious shopping, I found the maze of back streets around the bustling Yeni Camii (New Mosque) were more likely to throw up a bargain. The range of what's sold here is truly astonishing - you really can buy anything.

While Sultanahmet is the historical center, Taksim Square is home to the city's modern (and mostly European) restaurants, hotels and shops. But it's not just tourists that frequent this area - it's a genuine hub of the contemporary metropolis that Istanbul is becoming and a window on its development.

Food and drink

Just behind the Yeni mosque in Eminonu, the Misir Carsisi (Spice Bazaar) is the place to buy traditional fare such as dried fruit, sweetmeats, teas and oils. With the affordable prices, it's easy to imagine living solely off these tasty offerings during your stay...

However, the various tiny shops that line the twisty streets around the Rustempasha mosque are cheaper still.

I was also surprised - but pleased - to find that Turkish dishes are quite healthy in comparison to the kebab shops which have dominated their exported food culture, particularly in the UK.

Mayhenes are customary Turkish eateries and these taverna-like places usually serve mezes (starters) and fruits of the season along with a selection of beer and wine. They are also favorite spots for sipping raki, a local (and rather unpleasant, I thought) aniseed drink.

Along Cicek Pasaj in Beyoglu there's a good selection of reasonable mayhenes and, with so many clustered in a small area, the atmosphere often gets loud and merry later in the evening.

Cafés serving cay (tea) and nargile (shisha pipe) are another Turkish tradition and lovely for taking a break from the crowds Just off Taksim Square, we found the tiny (and cheap)Aytekin Cay and Nargile Café was a perfect example.

The best budget meal we experienced in Istanbul, however, was at Karakoy - freshly-caught fish sandwiches that cost less than a pound!

Nightclubs

Where nightlife and drinking are concerned, Istanbul has recently undergone something of a revolution. I had been expecting quite a conservative scene in keeping with their Islamic values but the city has all the contemporary hallmarks of its European neighbors.

With numerous McDonalds and even a brand-new Harvey Nichols (at the Kanyon Centre, Buyukdere Caddesi 185), Istanbul has a thriving - and continuously growing - collection of clubs and bars to match.

The music is as diverse as can be but, now that western-style venues have become the place to be seen in this 'cool' city, I couldn't help but wonder how much of the nightlife is about the tunes and how much is about the scene itself...

The rock bars around Taksim are some of the coolest, with cheap beer and student crowds discussing anything from bands and politics.

A late-opening café culture is also developing in Istanbul, particularly on Akarsu Caddesi in Cihangir, with live music and alcohol added to the coffee menu after dark.

The top place to party, though, is along the Boshphorus - during summer months, discos with beautiful views line the riverbanks until the early hours.

Istanbul is a big, crowded place with congested traffic and overflowing public transport adding to its buzz. It's also becoming a major world city, with skyscrapers overtaking buildings from history and a madly developing party scene.

Continued economic problems show its not quite there yet - but that just means there's still room to experience the old Istanbul and its culture.

shisha accessories

The tobacco used in hookahs is different than that associated with cigarettes, or, indeed, any other form of smoking. It is, traditionally, a damp blend--called tobamel or maassel--of fresh tobacco leaves with molasses or honey and semi-dried fruit or fruit pulp. Some smokers would add pomegranate juice or perhaps rose oil to the water, which added flavor to the smoke. Later, hookah tobacco was also mixed with fruit extracts, and in the 1980s tobacconists began experimenting with various flavors, so that now a virtual smorgasbord of highly aromatic hookah tobacco is widely available.

While some hookah smokers still prefer a strong Turkish tobacco, many delight in the large assortment of flavored tobaccos, often called shisha. The dark, wet mixture comes in flavors ranging from apple, cherry, apricot, and watermelon, to rose, jasmine, vanilla, honey, and licorice, with more exotic blends beyond that, such as lemon-cola, cappuccino, apple-mint, and a list of custom blends that is nigh on infinite.

Prices for packaged tobacco range anywhere from $4 to $17 depending on quality, and a variety pack of flavors might cost about $30. The price in most lounges for a bowl of hookah tobacco ranges from $4 to $9 for slower burning leaf or custom blends.

Since hookah tobacco is very wet it must be smoked using a hookah charcoal. Rather than being lit directly, the tobacco is heated with a coal placed on tinfoil or wire mesh above or in the bowl holding the damp mixture. Each bowl of this wet tobacco lasts a long time, usually requiring several replenishments of the charcoal. In the past, among those rituals and traditions surrounding the lighting and smoking of the hookah, or narghile, were strict prohibitions against lighting the tobacco incorrectly--or even allowing a cigarette smoker to light their cigarette off of the hookah coal.

Hookah tobacco is generally only 30 percent tobacco and 70 percent fruit flavoring and molasses or honey. It contains .05 percent nicotine and most types contain no tar. Because the tobacco is heated, rather than actually burned, studies have shown that there are fewer carcinogens produced in hookah smoke than in other forms of smoking. However, concerns about the length of time smokers generally spend around a bowl of hookah tobacco do warrant consideration, and studies have shown that carbon dioxide intake is actually higher in hookah smoking. Though mellower and less carcinogenic, hookah tobacco is still tobacco and the health risks remain. Hookah tobacco should only be smoked by adults over 18 years of age, and then smoked in moderation.

shisha charcoal

The hookah has a long and storied history. Also known variously as a hubble-bubble, narghile, shisha, or water pipe, among other names, hookahs have been used for a mellow tobacco smoking experience in Asia and the Middle East for centuries. Coming to the Middle East from India, the hookah started out as a humble coconut shell. In Turkey, it evolved into the true hookah, becoming a mainstay of coffee house life during the 17th century. Hookah smoking is still very common in cafes and restaurants throughout the Middle East.

Many rituals, of preparation, lighting, and smoking etiquette, surround the use of the hookah. People gathered in the coffee houses to smoke together, exchanging news and stories--or simply sharing quiet, meditative time. Recalling a more relaxed and unhurried past, hookahs conjure tales of journeys along the Nile, long nights in exotically scented gardens, the spice of the bazaar, and the sinuous music of the belly dance.

Hookahs were smoked by women gathered for tea, by students engaging in intellectual discussion, men playing games of chance, and simple gatherings of friends for enjoyment and relaxation. Offering a guest a puff at the house hookah, or narghile, was a sign of welcome and hospitality. Rather than a habit of nervousness, as many might classify the cigarette, the hookah is an entry to tranquility and reflection. It is a connection to the past and an oasis of civilized fellowship in the frenetic present.

With such a long history, it's not surprising that the craftsmanship in a hookah approaches the level of art; most hookahs are exquisitely detailed and beautiful. At one time, each part of the hookah was produced by a craftsman specifically trained to produce just that piece. Materials used included silver, crystal, and amber. When you add in the centuries of tradition and ritual in which the hookah is steeped, it's easy to see that this ancient water pipe represents the nexus of a singular and luxuriant experience in smoke and social interaction--and why it's becoming so popular in the West.

tobacco molasses

Since the culture of hookah shisha is one of relaxation, it's best to approach the process of hookah buying with patience. Research the subject, become familiar with the best materials and products, consider the aesthetics--what pleases most and will most enhance the smoking experience for you? Quality, beauty, and price are the broad parameters to consider when you set out to buy hookahs.

While it's a good idea to have checked out any local retail outlets where hookahs are available, and to have tried various hookah pipes at a lounge, your best bet in meeting the above criteria is probably going to be buying online. There's simply a much broader range of hookahs available online, without the markup a brick-and-mortar store is forced to charge.

For the hookah body, also called the vase, or govde, Pyrex glass or ceramic, or some other non-porous, tempered material, are the best. Avoid wood or copper. Bases come in sizes from small to large and a multihued array of colors and designs. Stems will generally be stainless steel or another solid metal, fluted and, again, in a range of heights. Hoses also come in a variety of styles and lengths. The tobacco bowl should be ceramic, clay, or metal. You can get a hookah with one hose fitting or multiple hose fittings. There are a number of sites where you can build your own hookah from a selection of parts, and others where you can order custom hookahs. There is a wide selection of high quality hookahs available ready-made, however.

Egyptian hookahs generally have hand-blown glass bases in jewel and opal-toned colors, while Syrian hookahs have exquisitely ornamented ceramic or glass bases. Beyond these traditional styles there are a plethora of modern interpretations, animal shaped hookahs, mod hookahs, mini hookahs, traveling hookahs complete with carrying case, and rotating hookahs. Prices range from about $35 for a mini, quality, single-hose hookah, with a mid-range for medium hookahs at $60 to $100, and from about $115 to $135 or more for a large hookah. For a custom hookah, you can spend from around $225 for crystal to as much as $1,000 for a hookah made of silver.

Most hookah purchases will come with individual bowl, stem, plate, base, and hose or hoses, in separable parts for ease of cleaning, and will include tongs for coals, screens, brushes for cleaning, and instructions. Some will also come with a carrying case and extra rubber stoppers, some hookah tobacco and charcoal.

shisha/hook pipes

People have gone to great lengths to make the ultimate hookah, but it's really no further than your local market. Pick up some juice, apple, grape, fruit punch, any mix you want or can think of. While you're there, pick up some produce to, a small melon, an orange, lemon, lime, apple, orany of the softer, smaller fruits will do. You might as well pick up some ice, too, while you're at it, unless, of course, you have an ice maker at the house.

Now unpack your hookah, pack the bowl, or if you're feeling particularly industrious, carve the apple from the middle out into a cone, leaving the outside and the skin intact. Instead of using the porcelain bowl, use the apple. Just sprinkle some tobacco in it and proceed as normal, foil, coals, etcetera. Next, empty the juice you bought into the case to the point where you'd normally fill it with water. If you think it might be too strong, you can dilute it to desired strength. For those of legal drinking age, you can put cheap liquor in the base for an added buzz, but beware, it is intoxicating, so make sure you're not driving.

Slice up your fruit, drop a couple of pieces in the base, and throw some ice in there as well. Now assemble it, light it up, and prepare to be impressed, though, just as a forewarning, it may take a few sessions to get it just right.

Some of our favorite combinations are V8 Pina Colada with coconut shisha (think tropical), fruit cocktail with fruit punch and a slice of orange, grape with grape or apple or both and a slice of lime or lemon, and last but not least, V8 Pina Colada mixed with rum and coconut shisha.

shisha starter packages

You've probably seen a hookah. Most children who grew up in the United States have almost certainly seen a hookah. But, like most people, you've likely forgotten what one looks like and what they're used for. Think back. Recall the tale of a girl named Alice who seemingly stranded in a strange, imaginative world. In Lewis Carroll's story, Alice in Wonderland, Alice stumbles upon an arrogant and inquisitive caterpillar. Perched atop a giant mushroom, and smoking what appears to be a strange musical instrument, the caterpillar asks Alice a quite memorable question-- "Who are YOU?" The musical instrument is not really a musical instrument at all. It is, in fact, a hookah and this hookah-smoking caterpillar is how most children get their first glimpse of this curiously strange smoking device.

When Lewis Carroll wrote the story of Alice in 1865, hookahs had been in existence and in use for several centuries. Though never really popular in European countries, the hookah was and is still very popular in Eastern cultures like Egypt and India. So, how is it that this mysterious thing called hookah has never seen its day in Europe or, in more recent times, the United States? Perhaps the time is upon us!

In the past, cigars have been the 'gourmet smoke' for those wishing to break out of the conventional, cigarette-smoking mold. Crafted from higher-grade tobaccos and hand-rolled in exotic lands, cigars have become a true contender to the additive-infused cigarettes of modern day. Cigars have become so popular, in fact, that they have cropped up an entire industry that is based around their existence. Cigar and specialty tobacco shops are evidence of the profit to be made from selling tobacco in a different form factor than that of the cigarette. In addition to cigar shops, cigar bars have proven that smoking-tailored establishments can be both socially-acceptable and huge profit centers for their owners. It is society's acceptance of the cigar bar that makes hookah bars and hookah cafes a possibility!

There is no doubt that the tobacco industry has seen better days and, from the aftermath of the Big Tobacco lawsuits, it's a wonder that these companies are still around. Did you know that there are over 600 legally-allowed additives that tobacco companies can add to their cigarettes? That's an amazing cocktail of chemicals that cigarette smokers are putting into their bodies every time they choose to light up! In comparison, today's hookah tobacco, commonly referred to as shisha (pronounced: shee-shuh), is comprised only of a handful of natural ingredients. These ingredients are typically tobacco, all-natural glycerin or honey, sugar and natural flavorings. That's 596 additives short of what could be in a normal, run-of-the-pack cigarette! It's facts like these that bring most people to believe that hookah smoking is a less-harmful alternative to smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, no major study has been performed to evaluate the health effects of smoking hookah. So, we'll have to wait for a definitive answer to that question.

When the Turkish invented the hookah centuries ago, they did so with one goal in mind. Up to that time, tobacco had been smoked in pipes that are reminiscent of American Indian peace pipes. When smoking from these pipes, the smoke was at a temperature very close to the burning tobacco itself. Someone came up with the idea of filtering the smoke through water to cool the smoke to an enjoyable temperature. The simplicity of the hookah made it an instant hit and has been a major reason why hookahs are still prevalent in so many Eastern cultures. Though not originally planned when the hookah was invented, the water that the smoke passes through actually acts as a natural filter that helps filter tar and other impurities created when tobacco is smoked. Many years after the hookah was invented, someone would accidentally drop their tobacco into some molasses, thus paving the way for modern hookah shisha. It was the addition of molasses, now substituted by all-natural glycerin, which slowed the rate at which the tobacco burned and actually made it possible to heat the tobacco rather than burning it. Heating tobacco results in greater flavor potential and lowers the amount of nicotine that is released while smoking.

The hookahs of today, while being modernized and updated, have remained true to their creator's initial goal. Traditionally made of glass and brass, hookahs are now being produced of materials such as acrylic, crystal and steel. Also, the once hand-crafted art has transformed into a full-blown industry that is selling record numbers of hookahs. Hookah shisha has come of age, as well. Production of hookah shisha is at an all-time high and major manufacturers are creating more and more flavors to be consumed by customers worldwide. Flavors include everything from fruity apples and oranges to regional favorites like bubble gum and vanilla. In all, there are more than 50 different flavors to choose from and more are being added all the time. The precise mixture of ingredients has also yielded a tobacco with flavor that lasts longer. In fact, one person can smoke can smoke a bowl of tobacco for nearly an hour without having to change the tobacco.

A small number of entrepreneurs have recognized the potential of the hookah and have begun to open bars and cafes that are specifically-tailored toward the rental and sales of hookahs. In just a short period of time, they've proven that there is some serious money to be made in the hookah service industry for those willing to venture into seemingly unchartered territories. Most surprising is the low initial investment required to open a hookah establishment. For most locations, as little as 10 to 15 hookahs per 1,000 square feet of customer seating area is sufficient and will virtually guarantee that there are enough hookahs to go around. When purchased in larger lots, the cost of each hookah can run anywhere from $20 to $80 dollars and some wholesalers will even provide the hookahs for free if the bar or cafe agrees to purchase their hookah tobacco from the company. Rental fees for hookahs run anywhere from $10 in a hookah cafe to $25 in hookah bars! Of course, the rental plan is entirely up to the business owner and usually includes a single bowl of hookah shisha to smoke. Lower-priced refills of hookah tobacco encourage customers to stick around and socialize in the intimate environment. Most customers do not smoke by themselves, opting instead for groups of 3 to 4 people. This will reduce the longevity of each bowl of tobacco and increase the number of refills purchased by each group.

Before you can begin renting hookahs, you must first check with local, state and federal governments to ensure that you will not be breaking any laws or regulations. For most areas, a tobacco sales tax permit or license is all that is required to begin renting hookahs. Of course, this is supplemental to the typical state sales tax permit or license. You will also need to check local zoning requirements and determine the best location for your bar or cafe. There are a number of wholesalers available to get your cafe or bar up and running in the shortest amount of time possible. It is recommended that you opt for customer service and support over pennies saved, as it is often difficult to find companies that are in-tune with the American way of doing business.

In addition to hookahs, you will need to choose between a bar or cafe concept. Cafes are generally easier to open and require a minimal amount of additional capital. The largest expenditure will be the espresso machine and this will run anywhere from $2,000 to $14,000 depending upon the brand, model and, if used, the age of the machine. If you plan the cafe route, it is recommended that you pick up a copy of "Start and Run a Coffee Bar" (Matzen & Harrison, Self Counsel Press 2002). Although not hookah-oriented, it's filled with the ins-and-outs of running a cafe and what is required to operate all of the various cafe machines. If you want to open a hookah bar that serves alcoholic beverages, it is definitely recommended that you open near a college or university campus. This will give you a steady flow of new, fresh bodies that will save your bar from going stale with the locals. The hookah bar concept, when coupled with college towns, has proven to be the most successful and profitable hookah business ventures. There are, of course, caveats to opening a bar of any type. You will have to cut through significantly more 'red tape' but the payoff should definitely be worth the time and effort. Hookah bars are one of the fastest growing concepts for college towns and offer a fresh, new environment for 20-somethings to hang out.

As you can see, hookahs have edged their way into the European and American lifestyle. The cigar bars of yesteryear have paved the way for a unique opportunity for the entrepreneurs of today. Hookah cafes and hookah bars stand to make millions by providing the public with something that they've been looking for and haven't been able to find in the countless other cafes and bars. Hookahs bring back the social, intimate gatherings of friends that have long been lost to the hustle and bustle of modern life. Oh, and who knows? Your hookah bar or cafe could be the next big thing!

shisha

The body, or govde, of a hookah pipe consists of a curved vessel which holds water. A graceful stem rises from the body and at the top of the stem is a bowl, or lle, which holds the tobacco. From one to several flexible hoses, the marpuc, with a mouthpiece, or agizlik, at the end, are used to draw the hookah smoke down through the water. The hookah tobacco is heated by charcoal and the water filters and cools the smoke. The water gurgles gently, like a woodland stream, and, in the process, makes the smoke smooth and cool.

The word shisha, which is often another word for hookah, comes from the Persian meaning glass or bottle. Hookahs and the culture of hookah smoking is often referred to as hookah shisha. Somewhat confusingly, at first, people also refer to hookah tobacco as shisha, or hookah shisha--and there is a Shisha brand of hookah shisha!

Hookah pipes today come in many styles, from Egyptian to Syrian, traveling, mini and mod models to specialty and custom designs. There is a world of history in the craftsmanship of hookah pipes. Traditional materials used in making hookahs were blown glass, often highly decorated in gold or enamel painting, brass, aluminum, silver, porcelain, clay, carved stone and wood, and leather. All these same materials are used today, with the addition of stainless steel, Pyrex glass, plastic, rubber, and high quality acrylics, among others.

In restaurants and smoking lounges, individually wrapped, disposable plastic mouthpieces are provided for each smoker. Other accoutrements of the hookah pipe and tobacco include the hookah charcoal and metal tongs. The charcoal is typically in coin-sized pieces and each lasts for about 30 minutes in the slow smoking tobacco mixture.

Certain etiquette applies to the smoking of hookah pipes: the water pipes are meant to be on the ground, rather than on a high table or shelf, with the smokers seated on cushions or low seats around it--though in modern hookah lounges, they often appear on tables. Shared hookah pipes are not supposed to be passed, but rather set down after smoking so that the next smoker can take up the pipe at their leisure.