Hookahs in Lebanon

In Lebanon it is normal to smoke tobacco in a hookah. Hookahs are a casual tobacco product to use in Lebanon and are often referred to as “Argilee” or “Shisha”. Teenagers and adults of all wealth statuses smoke tobacco (most popular being “two apples”) in hookahs. The tobacco may also be mixed with raisin or mint. People in Lebanon have made the best tasting tobacco possible by using ice in the water or to place the water jar in snow. Similar to glass bongs for marijuana this will make smooth and easy to inhale smoke and is one of the main advantages to using a hookah pipe.

Hookah Etiquette

With the popularity of hookahs in Lebanon comes some traditions and also proper hookah etiquette. The list of proper etiquette procedures for the hookah may not be in writing but amongst young adults it is followed. The list includes not lighting a smoke with the coal that burns on the top of the tobacco bowl, fold the hookah’s hose before handing it to the next user, and the preparer lights it. Other hookah techniques exist like lighting the hookah for a woman if she is present but the list is relatively long.

The education on hookahs with Lebanese people is very advanced. Most will not use a double or triple hose hookah pipe because they are known to burn the tobacco too quick. Both family and friends will meet and sit next to the hookahs and smoke together. You could regularly spot a group of as much as ten people smoking from hookahs and hookah smokers are sometimes found outside, in hookah cafes, at parks, and even at weddings. Some people will even smoke from a hookah while driving. Compared to most countries, Lebanon definitely is known for a positive attitude towards hookahs.