dokha dokha 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 15th century. 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. a bottle of sifted dokha flakes from a local vendor in the united arab emirates dokha has a higher concentration of nicotine compared to other forms of tobacco, and can cause brief periods of euphoria, relaxation or lightheadedness in some users. 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. the product is popular in the united arab emirates (uae), oman, qatar, saudi arabia, yemen, bahrain, jordan, and other middle eastern countries. it has reportedly spread to europe, bhatkal in india and other regions via immigration, tourism and trade. 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, and preliminary studies have quantified dokha's high nicotine and tar concentration, as well as toxins present in its smoke. 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. history dokha tobacco and its derivatives have been cultivated and used in middle eastern countries for approximately 500 years. it originated in iran during the 15th century, as use spread among sailors in the caspian sea, which led to its eventual spread throughout all of the middle east during the following centuries. traditionally, dokha consists of dried and ground tobacco leaves, blended with herbs, spices, dried flowers and fruits. depending on local traditions, bark and leaves of native plants were also used. preparation modern dokha maintains many of the characteristics of its traditional forms, consisting of tobacco and spices without any preservatives, pesticides, herbicides or additives that are commonly used in mass-produced tobacco products. due to the lesser degree of processing, dokha tobacco appears essentially unaltered, retaining the natural green color of the plant. unlike most tobaccos, dokha is not fire cured and cut, but dried in the arid desert region where it is harvested. it is finely ground to preserve the strength, freshness and flavor of the tobacco. the tobacco is then blended with other spices and herbs to create the final product. in many countries where dokha is used, there are a number of available tobacco strengths (typically described in arabic as "hot", "warm" or "cold"), which indicate the harshness of a particular blend. usage