page_title: Dokha
section_title: Acute effects
hierarchical_section_title: Dokha / Health effects / Acute effects
caption_attribution_description: English: Graph of nicotine and tar level comparisons between dokha and other tobacco products, per University of Sharjah
context_page_description: Dokha is an Arabian 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, 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.
  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 less 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, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern countries. It has reportedly spread to Europe and other regions via immigration, tourism and trade.
context_section_description: As of 2019, few studies have been performed on the acute effects specific to dokha use, but one uncontrolled study among male UAE medical university students assessed the following:
  Increased systolic blood pressure
  Decreased diastolic blood pressure
  Increased heart rate and respiration
caption: Nicotine and tar levels compared to other tobacco products, per a 2018 University of Sharjah study[3]
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