Global InformationDokha information
Dokha (Arabic: دوخة, "dizziness" or "vertigo") is a tobacco product, consisting of dried and finely shredded tobacco flakes mixed with herbs and spices. It originated in Iran during the 16th century.[1] Unlike hookah tobacco (also called "shisha" or "mu'assel"), dokha is not cured with molasses. Users smoke the tobacco blend in small quantities using a pipe called a midwakh. Because the midwakh pipe is used almost exclusively for smoking dokha, the terms are often used interchangeably.[2]
Dokha has a higher concentration of nicotine compared to other forms of tobacco,[3] and can cause brief periods of euphoria, relaxation or lightheadedness in some users.[4] As using the midwakh also reportedly leaves fewer lingering smells, and requires less tobacco to be used at a time, it can be used discreetly, which has made it popular among student populations and young adults.[5][6]
The product is popular in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern countries.[2][7] It has reportedly spread to Europe, Bhatkal in India and other regions via immigration, tourism and trade.[8][9] Scientific research on the health effects of dokha use is lacking, but officials have concerns over the use of the product as a touted cigarette alternative,[10] and preliminary studies have quantified dokha's high nicotine and tar concentration, as well as toxins present in its smoke.[11] Notable concern in the UAE over the spreading popularity of dokha among teenagers and young adults has led to multiple tobacco control efforts to curb its use.[12][13]
- ^ "Tobacco use: What is dokha?". Dentistry IQ. 2015-03-10. Archived from the original on 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:14was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Beirut Students Puff 'Dokha' For Dizziness, Buzz and Sensation". Al Bawaba. 2018-05-14. Archived from the original on 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
- ^ Al Ramahi, Nawal (2017-05-05). "It's all too easy for teens to buy dokha". The National. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
- ^ Basheer, Diyab (2018-11-18). Vertigo (Documentary, Short Film). Vertex Pictures. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:10was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:9was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Finch, Hannah (2018-07-26). "The Arabian pipes and super strength tobacco becoming a bestseller in Exeter". DevonLive. Archived from the original on 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
- ^ Carroll, Lindsay (2014-08-28). "Myth that smoking medwakh is safer than smoking cigarettes 'needs to be dispelled'". The National. Archived from the original on 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
- ^ Elsayed, Yehya; Dalibalta, Sarah; El Kouche, Maissam (2018-02-15). "Chemical characterization and safety assessment of dokha: An emerging alternative tobacco product". Science of the Total Environment. 615: 9–14. Bibcode:2018ScTEn.615....9E. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.255. ISSN 0048-9697. PMID 28961439.
- ^ "Teenage smokers on rise as tobacco law is flouted". The National. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ^ Zain, Asma Ali (2018-05-31). "Dokha sales to be tightly regulated in UAE". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2018-11-17.