Would You Go Herbal?

[Chreees]

Okay, so with all the new laws that it looks like we'll soon be facing here in the U.S., tobacco is going to become very expensive in the very near future. For most of us the price will not be worth it. The government is doing this to "get tobacco away from kids," but I don't see how... I mean, I guess it means maybe kids would have a harder time being able to afford tobacco, I don't know. Really the parents' place to keep tobacco away from their kids, not the gov. PACT act is going to restrict mailing of tobacco, so far shisha is not included as far as we know. But it'll be next. And while we see our hookah tobacco products getting more and more unattainable, other illegal substances are getting closer and closer to legalization. The whole system of things is becoming quite wild... Anyway, I need to stop ranting. Hookah tobacco is becoming more and more expensive. I've seen the rise in price just within the last year- about how long I've been smoking. My question to all of you is this: Would you just buy herbal shisha instead and shelling out the extra cash to buy real tobacco shisha? I've been thinking about this for quite a while, and it seems to maybe have some potential. The new smoking bans are putting lounges out of business. These proposed new tax laws on pipe tobacco will hurt the businesses that make the tobacco. But if they make herbal shisha instead, we can all keep smoking, not hurt our already aching wallets, and be happy... minus the buzz of course. That part would suck. But if herbal can be made just as good and flavorful as say.... Tangiers, and also put out clouds like Tangiers or Nak or what have you, I think we could have some great possibilities.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think on this matter. I think if they did pass a new tax law increasing tobacco prices I would buy herbal and occasionally buy the real thing, for special times. I see hard times coming for all of us... I hate all of the destruction all of this has already caused...

By the way, how's Salaam? Never had it...

[Chreees]

Man, now I wanna buy some Salaam... Did some research on it and it seems pretty legit...

[hookah hippie]

When it's herbal or nothing I think I am going to throw in the towel. It seems like the tobacco tax will stop us smoking it then mass produced herbal substitutes that we all use instead (I am speaking across the board, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, etc.) Then that will be heavily taxed it seems like an un-winnable battle. Sorry for the pessimism I have been up for countless hours. Hopefully all will work out.

[mitchard]

If I remember correctly, inhaling crushed sugar cane can lead to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrinsic_allergic_alveolitis

Sounds like we'll be up shit creek either way. No point. If shisha every gets to be too expensive for me, i'll quit smoking. I love this hobby a lot, but its not worth making a serious impact on my financial situation.

[twoapplesplease]

I think the german Elements brand has the right Idea, sell the tobacco and molasses sepparatly...that way your only getting taxed on the tobacco and not the whole moassel fineshed product.........I would smoke and buy herbal, but only when it comes on the market in pre-1600th century turk style

[mushrat]

i would stop smoking hookah.

[lilwoggy]

In Australia the tobacco tax is absolutely insane, we currently pay about $20-30 per 50g packet ($70-$80 for 250g) after taxes and store markups. Due to this price our local "tobacconist" (absolutely useless, they probably know more about cooking then tobacco...) only stocks 4-5 flavors, and even less in 250g packs. Whilst my tobacco supply has been very low lately i decided to buy various SOEX herbal flavors cos they were damn cheap and would keep me occupied whilst i organised my own methods of getting tobacco without paying ridiculous tax on it.

I came to the conclusion i would never, EVER go herbal. I've had maybe 2 bowls of each of the 5 flavors and have currently gone back to my ever fading, small supply of Al Waha (which i paid full price for unfortunately) as i await my next supply of tobacco. I just can't smoke the herbal stuff, the flavours are all over the place and usually have the weirdest tastes ever. It's either proper tobacco or nothing for me. And if that means i'm gonna have to shell out $70 per 250g box if my attempts to get it tax free fail, then so be it.

[mustafabey]

I've tried Soex, I got some free, its alright but........ leaves alot desired. Quite a few years ago I was heavy into Pow Wow scene, dancing, doing demos and promoting a Veterans Pow wow we used to have before they shut us down. Anyway, ya know Indians use tobacco spiritually. Some of us thought using Drum or Bugler wasn't the greatest idea because of chemical etc. Besides smoking it in prayer from a "peace" pipe we offer it as symbolic gift. If I kill a deer, or dig up some ginseng. I usually leave tobacco. Well, American Spirit makes a Pow Wow blend, but its rather expensive. Anyway told ya all that to tell ya this, I grew some. Not hard at all, if ya got a little land. Now curing it is probably harder, I jusr dried mine in my barn. Got a whole popcorn tin full of it. Might try to make my own maasel

[ryno]

I would either stop smoking or just start seeing if I can make my own from tobacco that I've grown.

[Arcane]

hmmm.....well, i'd still buy it...but, just won't smoke as often...



or, i'll just stock up a ton before the tax hike....

[Tyler]

[quote name='Arcane' date='23 May 2010 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1274636211' post='469146']
hmmm.....well, i'd still buy it...but, just won't smoke as often...



or, i'll just stock up a ton before the tax hike....
[/quote]


Sign up for a credit card, before the tax hike hits max it out on your favs, at the end of the stash = end of the hobby

[Rani]

Nope, not doing the herbal thing. My gut tells me smoking herbals that were never made for smoking consumption are going to turn out to be worse for us than tobacco ever was. So, I'd stock up on a ton, seal it all in those air tight specialty bags where you suck all the air out, and when it was gone...... That would be the end for me. Might be tempted to grow my own tobacco though.......

'Rani

[Rani]

By the way, it's all stupid to try and keep tobacco away from kids by raising taxes. Kids have [u]only[/u] disposal income. They don't pay rent, etc., so they have no problem using all of their cash for tobacco. The only people is actually hurts are those who do have to choose between making a car payment and buying 250 grams of shisha. Kids could give a rats ass how much it costs. They're kids.

'Rani

[ezxen]

i would stop

[mitchard]

In reality, the taxes have little to do with keeping the tobacco away from kids. Its keeping it away from everyone.

This is what happens when the government meddles with our health care guys, we can't act too appalled or surprised about this happening. Check out the taxes in Canada. We are well on our way. Now that they are a part of the HC system, they have to make sure to cut down on smokers to reduce their cost, amirite?

[mitchard]

[quote name='Rani' date='23 May 2010 - 12:56 PM' timestamp='1274644607' post='469157']
Nope, not doing the herbal thing. My gut tells me smoking herbals that were never made for smoking consumption are going to turn out to be worse for us than tobacco ever was.
[/quote]
Thats how I feel about it. Smoking the crushed sugar cane is fucking TERRIBLE for you.

I have always wondered about the impact the glycerin, molasses and flavoring might have on our lungs, but there hasn't been any proof provided about it being really bad for you. If there ever was a valid and unbiased study which proved they were, I would probably cut back on my smoking, or stop completely. Its been proven that burning and inhaling the sugar cane is bad, so I don't plan on messing with it.

[Chreees]

Well I slept on it overnight and I think in the end I would quit smoking altogether if taxes increased the price too high. I've never had herbal so I don't know what it's like, but from what you said Mitch it sounds hella bad. I hate what our government is doing to everyone. It's like they're just slowly killing everybody off one way or another. I thought this was America, where we had rights and freedom. No, you ain't got shit. The little bit that you do have is slowly being yanked away... And I think universal healthcare was a bad idea, because like Mitch said it means they have to make tobacco harder to get so they can cut their costs.

All I know is I see the end coming soon...

[Venger]

I think I would make my own herbals. Use leaf tea,rose petals,lavender, fruits,perhaps try different greens. dry them and mix with flavors and molasses or sorghum. There will probably be a black market too so might become the Outlaw Josie Wales.
Ray

[twoapplesplease]

well hopefully one of the native american tobacco companies will start making a quality moassel hookah tobacco then once the taxes jump everyone will just take a trip to the closest native casino tobacco shop and load up on "four winds" moassel to avoid the crazy taxes

[F16WarBird]

I'll just buy it online from an overseas company. For the domestic producers, I'll wait and see.

[thatonethere]

I'll stock up before it hits, then decide on growing my own tobacco. I could also make my own herbal shisha since it's been something I've been wanting to try out anyway.

A mint leaf based shisha doesn't sound too bad.

[Synesthesia]

[quote name='twoapplesplease' date='23 May 2010 - 09:33 PM' timestamp='1274664829' post='469208']
well hopefully one of the native american tobacco companies will start making a quality moassel hookah tobacco then once the taxes jump everyone will just take a trip to the closest native casino tobacco shop and load up on "four winds" moassel to avoid the crazy taxes
[/quote]


hmm, that sounds like it could have promise....except i wonder if they would have any interest in making something like that? it would be wonderful tho, since i live pretty close to foxwoods (a huge-ass casino in CT)

[bellydancerakn]

[quote name='twoapplesplease' date='23 May 2010 - 06:33 PM' timestamp='1274664829' post='469208']
well hopefully one of the native american tobacco companies will start making a quality moassel hookah tobacco then once the taxes jump everyone will just take a trip to the closest native casino tobacco shop and load up on "four winds" moassel to avoid the crazy taxes
[/quote]


+1

I live near a big local casino. I actually just noticed the other day that they have an absolutely lovely cigar room stocked full.
Also, the fact that I have a few jamestown (local tribe) friends that could buy it for me at a discount would make a huge differance.

[Skoozle]

If there were an herbal as good as Tang or Nak, I would be all over it after the tax hike. If it is as good as traditional shisha, who cares. Most experienced smokers don't get a buzz anymore anyway. If sugar cane is deadly, I would avoid it but there are others such as teasha. I bet that if we get into a situation like our friends in Australia, there will be a lot more resourced directed at developing quality herbal shisha. By the way, I voted buy herbal and tobacco on special occasions. The special occasions would be when the flavor I want is not good or not availale in herbal. You gotta roll with the punches.

[bhargavz]

i have tried herbal flavors......taste is good but they are simply no match for the REAL THING [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/Hookah.gif[/img]