Shisha tobacco products — also referred to as hookah tobacco or molasses tobacco — come in a range of forms. For adult consumers who already use these products, understanding the differences between leaf types and product categories can help inform purchasing decisions.
This guide provides factual information about the main categories of shisha tobacco available in Australia. It is intended for adults aged 18 and over only.
Health Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and may complicate pregnancy.
Shisha tobacco contains nicotine, which is addictive. Even when smoked through a waterpipe, tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals including carbon monoxide and carcinogens. If you are concerned about your health, speak with your GP.
Quitline: 13 7848 | quitnow.gov.au
What Is Shisha Tobacco?
Shisha tobacco is a preparation of tobacco leaves combined with molasses or glycerin, along with flavouring agents. It is designed to be heated — not combusted directly — in a hookah (waterpipe), producing vapour that passes through water before inhalation.
Despite the water filtration, shisha smoke still contains nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and other harmful compounds. A single hookah session can involve inhaling a significantly greater volume of smoke compared to a single cigarette, due to the longer duration and deeper inhalation patterns typical of waterpipe use.
For a more detailed explanation of what these products contain, see our factual guides: What Is Shisha Flavour? and Does Shisha Flavour Contain Nicotine?
Tobacco Leaf Categories
Shisha tobacco products are broadly categorised by the type of tobacco leaf used in their manufacture. The leaf type affects nicotine concentration, moisture content, and heat tolerance — factors that are relevant to how the product is used in a hookah.
Blonde Leaf (Virginia / Red Leaf)
Blonde leaf shisha uses lighter-coloured tobacco — typically Virginia or similar cultivars. These products generally have a higher proportion of molasses or glycerin relative to tobacco, and a lower nicotine concentration compared to dark leaf products.
Blonde leaf is the most widely available category in Australia. Manufacturers that produce blonde leaf shisha include Al Fakher, Adalya, and Mazaya, among others. The full range of tobacco products is available in our hookah and shisha flavours collection.
Dark Leaf
Dark leaf shisha uses air-cured or sun-cured tobacco varieties — such as Burley — that are darker in colour and denser in composition. These products typically contain a higher concentration of nicotine and less molasses than blonde leaf equivalents.
Due to the higher nicotine content, dark leaf products carry additional health considerations. Consumers should be aware that nicotine intake per session may be substantially higher with dark leaf tobacco.
Manufacturers producing dark leaf shisha include Tangiers, Darkside, Musthave, and Trifecta. These products are available in our dark leaf collection.
Herbal Alternatives (Tobacco-Free)
Herbal shisha products replace tobacco with plant-based materials such as sugarcane fibre or tea leaves. These products do not contain tobacco or nicotine.
However, it is important to note that smoking herbal shisha still involves inhaling the byproducts of combustion and heated materials. Herbal products are not risk-free — carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds are still produced during use.
Herbal alternatives are available in our herbal collection.
How Products Are Categorised in Australia
Shisha tobacco products sold in Australia are typically categorised in the following ways:
By leaf type: blonde (Virginia/red) leaf or dark leaf, as described above.
By brand or manufacturer: each brand has its own tobacco blend, cut, and production process.
By weight: common retail sizes include 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, and 1 kg.
Regulatory note: Under Australian tobacco regulations, detailed flavour descriptions and product images for tobacco items cannot be displayed on retail websites. This is why product pages on Australian stores appear different to those on international retail sites.
Bowl Compatibility — A Practical Consideration
Different tobacco types have different moisture levels and heat tolerances, which affects which hookah bowl type is most suitable for their use. This is a functional consideration related to how the product interacts with the equipment — not a quality distinction between bowl types.
Egyptian-style bowls have an open airflow design with multiple holes at the base. They are commonly used with blonde leaf tobacco, which has higher moisture content. The open design allows airflow across the tobacco.
Phunnel bowls feature a single raised spire in the centre, which prevents liquid (molasses) from dripping into the hookah stem. This design is typically used with wetter, juicier products — including many dark leaf tobaccos — as it retains moisture within the bowl.
For factual information on the different bowl types available, see our hookah bowls collection.
What to Know Before Purchasing
Australian regulations and TPS policies apply to all tobacco product purchases:
Age restriction: You must be 18 years or older to purchase tobacco products. Valid photo ID (driver's licence or passport) is required for all deliveries and in-store purchases.
Product authenticity: All tobacco products sold by The Premium Shisha are genuine and sourced from authorised distributors. We do not stock counterfeit or parallel-import products.
Shipping: Tobacco flavour products are shipped via Australia Post Express Post only, in accordance with TPS policy. Orders placed before 2 pm AEST on business days are dispatched same day. For full shipping information, see our delivery and shipping page.
Click & Collect: Orders can be collected from our Knoxfield showroom (20/573 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield VIC 3180) within 60 minutes during trading hours. Valid 18+ ID is required at pickup.
