The main difference between smoking thuốc lào and the use of other tobaccos is in the method of consumption, in that thuốc lào is consumed with a water pipe. The smoker is presented with either a bamboo pipe called a "điếu cày" (English: "farmer's pipe") or a ceramic hookah called a "điếu bát". It may also occasionally be smoked in a more uncommon pipe known as a "điếu ống". The pipe is filled with an appropriate amount of water and a small amount of thuốc lào is pressed into the bowl.