In September, we warned our readers about the hazards of hookah smoking, with the long term health and sanitary affects it can have on individuals who consume it regularly.  Those who continue to consume it however, might be interested in a new product that could make the entire hookah smoking process somewhat less unhealthy and more convenient for the smoker.

On top of making the hookah more sanitary and safe for the smoker, the Shishavac also makes the experience more convenient with its featured coal igniter. The electric coal heating system will heat up to 800 degrees Celsius, allowing the coal to light without having to have an individual light it with a flame.

The product is called Shishavac, billed as the world’s first hookah preparation system that can clean loose particles inside of the hoses that are used to smoke the hookah, all the while preparing the charcoal for the smoker in a timely manner. It certainly avoids the lengthy process of preparing and cleaning a hookah, which many smokers can find annoying and time consuming.

The manufacturer’s main goal of the Shishavac is to point out that it minimizes the harm and hazards of smoking the hookah, with the features that are offered in the product.

“Using a dirty hose can be quite dangerous,” said Bishara Tannous, the owner of Tannous Innovations, the company that created the Shishavac. “Particles that are generated in a hose can become permanently stuck in the lungs…these particles are larger than smoke particles and may not even be felt during inhalation,” Tannous added. 

According to the product’s website, cleaning the hookah hose with the Shishavac takes only about 10 seconds, using air to blast out residual flavors and particulate matter into an air filter. This process avoids having to have the preparer of the hookah blow heavily into the hose in order to properly ignite it, which is a common practice, especially at local hookah lounges. Having the preparer blow heavily into the hose actually leaves traces of saliva and can contaminate the hookah that the individual or party plan on smoking.  

In addition, the most danger will fall onto the person that is responsible for blowing heavily into the hookah hose to get it started, as that is the most likely time that loose particles and rust inside of the hose are going to be inhaled into the throat and lungs. That is because when preparing the hookah, it is only cleaned with water, and that is not enough to cleanse out the loose particles stuck inside of the hose. 

When hookah is cleaned manually with water, it leaves a dripping mess and eventually accumulates mildew within the hose. Another positive aspect of the Shishavac is that after it cleans the hose for you, it dries it off through a blower, making it more sanitary for the individual the next time they decide to smoke it. 

On top of making the hookah more sanitary and safe for the smoker, the Shishavac also makes the experience more convenient with its featured coal igniter. The electric coal heating system will heat up to 800 degrees Celsius, allowing the coal to light without having to have an individual light it with a flame. The time length of this process depends on the type of coal the individual uses. Round coals, the more common ones that are used locally, will take less than a minute to light. A basket of natural coal will take about 7-10 minutes.

The ignition element operates on a time, automatically shutting off upon completion and notifying the user with a beeping sound for safety. It also contains a smoke filter that traps dust from rising into the surrounding air as well as sparks from flying throughout the area. 

Shishavac has been in development since 2006 and was finally ready for launch in 2010. It received approval for safety by the cETLus for the United States and Canada, and the CE for European counties. The first market it was introduced to was Dubai, UAE in December of 2010, before launching in the U.S. in August of 2011. According to Tannous, the reception so far has been impressive.

“People are very excited about the refinement and cleanliness Shishavac has brought to their hookah sessions,” Tannous stated. “We continually get emails and feedback from our customers around the world raving about how much cleaner and more enjoyable their hookah sessions are,” he added. 

Tannous Innovations, which is currently located in Boynton Beach, Florida, is offering the Shishavac for the price of $279.00 plus $20.00 for shipping anywhere around the U.S. Customers can also feel more comfortable with their purchase with the free 1 year warranty that is included in case of any defects in quality or workmanship.  

According to Tannous, the aim of the Shishavac is to sell it to both homes and businesses. The product is certainly glossy and flashy enough to sit next to a microwave or coffee machine in a kitchen.