What can I smoke in a hookah instead of tobacco?

Nils Große •Updated 12.09.2025 •5 min read

Quick summary: Hookah tobacco is the classic base, but there are many exciting alternatives. From steam pastes to cellulose, hibiscus flowers, or steam stones – the possibilities are varied. This article explains how hookah tobacco works, what alternatives exist, and why tobacco is still popular.

Let's be honest: anyone who enjoys relaxed evenings with a hookah knows that a water pipe isn't about classic smoking where the sole focus is a nicotine kick. It's about flavour, hookah enjoyment, relaxation, and the feeling of simply kicking back. The thick, aromatic smoke that slowly bubbles through the water – for many, that's a real ritual. But what actually lies behind this pleasure? And does it always have to be hookah tobacco? The short answer: No, it doesn't. There are many exciting alternatives to tobacco (often referred to as tobacco substitutes) that contain no nicotine at all – and still deliver great flavour and smoke production. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how hookah tobacco actually works – and what tobacco substitute products are available that you can smoke instead.

1. What is hookah tobacco actually made of?

Hookah tobacco isn't simply just "tobacco". In fact, it consists of several ingredients that are perfectly coordinated to create the special contents: raw tobacco forms the base – usually washed, sometimes unwashed. Then molasses comes into play – a mixture that keeps the tobacco moist and can absorb aromas beautifully. It typically consists of:

• Glycerine – this creates the thick smoke and carries the flavour.
• Sweeteners – e.g. honey or invert sugar, to give everything a nice, rounded taste.
• Flavourings – the selection here is enormous: from fruity to earthy, classic, exotic, creamy, or with mint.

The hookah tobacco absorbs the molasses and thus becomes the perfect carrier material for vapour, smoking experience, and flavour. The great advantage: the enormous variety of aromas and the ability to choose between many blends according to personal preference.

2. How does smoking in a hookah work?

Something interesting happens when smoking a hookah: the tobacco is not directly burned (as with a cigarette), but indirectly heated – usually by the charcoal on the hookah bowl or a multi-hole bowl. This heat vaporises the moist components of the molasses – primarily the glycerine – creating the typical, aromatic smoke (more precisely: vapour). This is then drawn through the water in the hookah glasses, cooled, and inhaled. Importantly, the carrier material (i.e. the tobacco) plays a major role – it stores the molasses, heats evenly, and ensures that the smoke doesn't become too thin or harsh. The tobacco also releases nicotine during heating, which provides a nicotine kick. The nicotine content can vary depending on the type of tobacco, processing, and washing. Compared to cigarettes, there is no direct combustion, but rather a gentle smouldering. In most cases, this results in a smoother smoke flow, while the overall effect when smoking remains intense.

3. Are there alternatives? What you can smoke instead of tobacco

Yes, definitely! A great deal has happened in the market in recent years. There are now several alternatives that do away entirely with tobacco (and often nicotine too) – yet offer a very similar hookah experience. Here are a few exciting examples:

Hookahsqueeze (steam paste based on diatomaceous earth) This is a completely different way of smoking: Hookahsqueeze is a hookah paste or steam paste made from diatomaceous earth (a type of mineral rock flour). This is mixed with flavourings and glycerine and spread into the bowl. When heated, it vaporises similarly to tobacco – but without leaves, fibres, or nicotine.

Hookahsqueeze Hookahsqueeze Grapefruit 25g View product Hookahsqueeze Hookahsqueeze Mint 25g View product Hookahsqueeze Hookahsqueeze Maracuja 25g View product

Brand Hookah Squeeze View brand

Smoke Island (cellulose carrier) Smoke Island uses cellulose – a neutral plant-based material that absorbs liquids particularly well. Here too, the cellulose is treated with molasses and then works just like conventional tobacco – only without nicotine. Various flavours and blends make the selection especially exciting.

Smoke Smoke Island Ice Love 200g View product Smoke Smoke Island Ice Cactus 200g View product Smoke Smoke Island Ice Bueberry 200g View product

Ice Blueberry

Brand Smoke Island View brand

Brusko (hibiscus flowers) Instead of tobacco, Brusko uses dried hibiscus flowers as the carrier material. It sounds unusual at first, but it works brilliantly. The flowers are soaked in molasses – creating a similar smoking behaviour to classic hookah tobacco. Brusko comes from Russia and is available in variants with or without nicotine – so you have the option.

Steam stones & other alternatives Hookah steam stones are small porous stones that are soaked in molasses. When heated, the liquid vaporises and produces thick vapour – entirely without tobacco or nicotine. There are also similar concepts using gel or jelly – i.e. in a more liquid form, similar to a liquid (e.g. the popular ByCandy Liquid). We would advise against steam stones, as they exist in a legal grey area. The advice here: use with caution.

You can find a selection of nicotine-free hookah tobacco in our shop.

4. What happens if you smoke only molasses?

It sounds logical at first: if the smoke comes from the molasses – can't you simply put just the molasses into the bowl? Theoretically: yes. In practice: also yes, but not necessarily recommended. Without a carrier material to absorb the molasses and heat up with it, the pure molasses simmers in the bowl. The smoke is therefore thinner, the consistency rather sticky, and the end result is an unsatisfying smoking experience. It also clogs up the bowl and makes disposal tedious – especially when the residue ends up in general waste. Conclusion: molasses alone works, but it's better combined with a carrier material so that everything functions properly.

5. Why is tobacco still so popular?

Quite simply: nicotine. Many people smoke a hookah not only for the flavour, but also for the nicotine – the substance responsible for the "kick". Nicotine is contained in the tobacco plant and creates that slightly invigorating feeling when smoking. Most tobacco substitute products are nicotine-free, which is a plus point for many – but a shortcoming for regular tobacco smokers. Those who don't want to go without nicotine therefore often continue to reach for classic hookah tobacco – or alternatives with added nicotine.

Conclusion – Does it really have to be tobacco?

No – it doesn't! Whether hibiscus, paste, cellulose, or steam stones: there are plenty of exciting alternatives that you can smoke in your hookah instead of tobacco. They work on the same principle, but often contain no nicotine – making them ideal for anyone who enjoys vaping but doesn't necessarily want to become addicted. Other absorbent carrier materials that are difficult to ignite would likely work too if soaked in molasses – such as herbal blends or mixtures with herbs. But whatever you put in your bowl, you decide: hookah tobacco without nicotine or with, classic or experimental – the main thing is that you enjoy it. And in the end, your personal favourite is all that matters.

Author

Nils Große

Nils has been part of the team since 2022 and, as a copywriter and designer, turns well-founded shisha knowledge from the community and team into content that is clear, easy to understand and pleasant to read.

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