E-Shisha – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
E-Shisha is a battery-powered vaping device designed to replicate the experience of smoking traditional Middle-Eastern hookah (shisha) without combustion, charcoal or tobacco. Often shaped like a pen, small hookah pipe or even a USB stick, it vaporises flavoured E-Liquid—usually fruit, candy or mint blends—into smooth, aromatic clouds. Because there is no burning, users avoid tar, carbon monoxide and ash, making E-Shisha a popular choice among Australian vapers seeking a cleaner, portable and nicotine-free social vape.
Technical Details
Most E-Shisha units fall into the eGo Style category: a 650–1100 mAh rechargeable lithium cell screwed to a 1.5–2.0 Ω coil housed in a disposable or replaceable clearomiser. Draw-activated or button-fired, they operate at 3.3–4.2 V and produce 8–15 W, ideal for 50–70% VG E-Juice. Devices measure 120–150 mm long and 10–15 mm wide, weighing under 50 g. Variations include:
- Disposable E-Shisha pens (300–600 puffs, sealed unit)
- Refillable pod E-Shisha (magnetic 2 mL pod, optional nic-salt)
- Mod-connected hookah heads (510-thread, Battery“>External Battery, sub-ohm for massive clouds)
LED tips often glow red, blue or multi-colour to mimic charcoal embers.
Usage & Tips
Prime a new coil with 5–6 drops of liquid, then let it soak for 3 minutes to avoid dry hits. Take slow, steady draws of 3–4 seconds; aggressive pulling can flood the coil. If vapour tastes burnt, replace the clearomiser—coils typically last 10–20 mL. Store upright in cool places; extreme heat can leak or auto-fire. Travelling? Seal the mouthpiece with the supplied rubber cap to meet Australian cabin-pressure regulations. Although most E-Shisha liquids are 0 mg nicotine, always check labels and keep devices away from children and pets.
History & Context
First launched in the UK around 2011, E-Shisha rode the global wave of E-Cigarette innovation, adapting familiar hookah culture into pocket-friendly form. In Australia, early models were sold at music festivals and shisha bars as a nicotine-free alternative. Today, local vape shops stock compliant, non-nicotine E-Shisha alongside refill pods, reflecting both the TGA’s nicotine prescription rules and the growing demand for flavour-centric, zero-nic social vaping.