I have limited knowledge of this objects use in Turkey, and what the effects are on the person using it. Obviously depending on what substances are smoked.

There is plenty of information about the Nargile and the history of it is very interesting. My original perception was that it was associated with the use of hashish and opium, which historically it was in some countries.

When I was on holiday in Oludeniz, there was a section on the beach where you could go and be served drinks and a nargile, but I was not tempted to try as I am not a smoker (anymore!).

I am interested in hearing some personal experiences. And would it be frowned upon if a woman smoked one? Is it the same or similar to smoking a cigarette?

I only have limited knowledge too! I tried it, but it was in a tourist area, so I am not sure how authentic it was! They give you a sealed mouthpiece, so it is hygenic.

It was NOTHING like smoking a cigarette. It did not taste of tobacco at all, it was a scented, mild very sweet taste. However, I am sure tobacco is used, because when I visited an Arabian restaurant recently they told me they had been banned in restaurants because of the tobacco content!

I am sure their origins are with something a bit more potent!

I can give you all the information you need, as I own one myself. I live in U.S where as of late, "Hookah Lounges" have become popular. It's seen as something "new" and "exotic" by Americans and they love it. The thing itself's LESS harmful than cigarettes as its tar gets left in the water. You can buy LOTS and LOTS of different falvored tobacco for it. The tobacco for it are specially made, and mixed in with a honey-like substance to make it sticky and sweet. The "unique" thing about nargile's that the "smoke" itself has taste. Whatever the flavor of the tobacco, the smoke tastes the same. I'm particularly fond of the mint flavor. Although cigarettes have been known to be extremely addictive, I can say that I'm not addicted to nargile at all. I suppose the nicotine and the tar's amount gets so reduced due to water that it's not enough to addict you to it. Not 100% sure. As for its history, it was invented by the ancient Ottomans. I'm not sure which sultan had demanded such an item as this, but I know that it got SO loved by everyone that almost everyone from the middle-east has one of these items know. Each call it something different. In Arabia, it's called Hookah, in Egypt it's called Shesha etc .. But I guess since the Ottomans found it, its original name should remain, which is Nargile of course. I hope this was helpful to you, if you've got any other questions, please feel free to ask ^_^

Erem,

Kadir is preparing one right now hehe. We bought the most lovely scenting apple flavor tabacco at Kemeraltı market!

It was oldfashioned at first, but has become really popluar among youth these days. I have seen many, many girls smoking nargile in İzmir, but I have to admit that most of them are kinda tacky. I dont smoke it because Im just against smoking, be it that its less harmful than cigarettes (something I kinda doubt because eventhough it gets filtered in the water, not all the damaging parts can be filtered and the amount of tabacoo used in one nargile is more than one fag.. ı really wonder about it), anyway, I love the smell of the smoke though!! ANd the sound is really calming!

I bought a laptop and we rented films so we are gonna watch them now, with tea and nargile and chocolates we got for Şeker bayram!! Im starting to feel really Turkish

Kadir just told me that the one he uses has the tabacco of 3 cigarettes inside it. You smoke it once a day for quite sometime, but an average smoker smokes more than 3 fags during the day..

There are however, nargiles that contain the tabacco of 50 cigrattes. No need to say that that is pretty harmful.

In Holland, nargiles can be served in coffeeshops with softdrugs in the tabacoo

nargile in istanbul;sultanahmet-beyazit, tophane...it is really good to enjoy nargile and place with many people

I dont smoke any more and last time I had a cigarette I thought my head was going to lift off!! So I was just wondering if the nargile has the same effect. I will try anything once even shreaded jelly fish!

More experiences with the nargile please!!!

You've tried both variations then Trudy!!

I am an off again on again cigarette smoker unfortunately

When I was in Turkey and India I smoked tobacco from the nargile. It is not very close to a cigarette at all. In India, I had quit smoking for over a month, and the nargile with apple tobacco was such a nice experience. I think the inhaling and exhaling of the smoke was the the familiar feeling I missed from smoking rather than the chemical reaction that occurs in the body with cigarettes.

In Turkey (I had resumed smoking cigarettes) we smoked apple tobacco in the Nargile a few times, but it was nothing like cigarettes. I didn't feel any physiological change, but enjoyed the ambience and experience of sharing the nargile.

The smoke is very smooth, no harsh burnt paper taste or chemicals.

After and hour and half of smoking the apple tobacco and drinking beer, I still craved a cigarette. I think the chemicals in cigarettes are the addictive ingredients not the tobacco.

My only worry for you is you may reconnect with your wish to smoke cigarettes, and that would not be good. It is so wonderful that you quit.

hope this helps
Christine

smoking waterpipe is different in turkey not like holland coz you smoke it a historical places and you feel that u are with others who do same that means in a social community .sometimes you can talk about any subject with a people that u didnt met in advance without any prejudice...

I strongly agree with this... The nargile seems to facilitate social connection and a feeling of connectedness with others. There is a level of intimacy and engagement that is very nice. I think there are parallels between this and the Native American practice of smoking a peace pipe. It is a way of greeting, sharing and connecting...

(This is completely opposite to smoking cigarettes in the USA- which is incredibly isolating- and shameful)

you are completely right

i have a new turkish girlfriend and her second question to me was ,do you smoke nargile, we went to a morrocon bar in exeter and shared a pipe very nice relaxing experience, nothing like smoking pot though, not that i EVER touch that awful stuff , well maybe in my youth

cool! now they even have cappuccino flavor.

New York full of Hookah cafe's!
viva la fuma!

mmm where is mustafa's comment on this? he said that he enjoys the apple shesha and I take it from other people's views it's good too
Don't think i'm up for it myself though.

oh yes, i love the nargile/sheesha...apple is my favourite

i remember when i was in egpyt, i was there for 2 weeks...every day we had sheesha.

i did notice that more women in egypt smoked nargile, compared to women in turkia.

obviously it is usually a male thing where men bond over the nargile, watch futbol, or play some board game

over here in australia, more and more bars are opening up that serve nargile. of course, not everyone here knows what it is, so when my friends and i have it, we always get a zillion questions from other people about it

I had been a heavy cigarette smoker for long time, but never tried nargile before I went to egypt this summer. I can tell you that, after quitting cigarette for three years, smoking shesha was interesting, and it did not increase my appetite for cigarette. (But it made me cough for some minutes when I first used it)

oh yes, i forgot to say that i am not a cigarette smoker nor have i ever been one, but i do like the nargile every now and then