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Tag: Shisha

  • AIR Taking its Shisha Public on Nasdaq in 2026

    AIR Taking its Shisha Public on Nasdaq in 2026

    Shisha and inhalation technology company Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR) announced an agreement with Cantor Equity Partners to become publicly listed on the U.S. Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker “AIIR” in the first half of 2026. Founded in the UAE, AIR owns Al Fakher, “the world’s largest shisha brand by sales volume, holding over 60% of the U.S. market.” In 2023, the company launched OOKA, “the world’s first pod-based, charcoal-free electronic shisha device, aimed at modernizing traditional shisha use.”

    AIR reported $375 million in net revenue and $150 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2024, underscoring strong financial performance. The company said its planned U.S. listing will enhance global visibility, attract international capital, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a hub for innovation.

  • Cambodia Reinforces Ban on E-Cigarettes and Shisha

    Cambodia Reinforces Ban on E-Cigarettes and Shisha

    Cambodia issued a directive today (October 22) enforcing bans on e-cigarettes and shisha pipes, “aiming to safeguard public health and maintain social order.” Prime Minister Hun Manet said the move comes in response to the widespread use of these products among children and youth, which he described as a threat to both health and social stability.

    The directive prohibits the import, distribution, sale, advertisement, use, possession, production, and storage of electronic smoking devices and shisha in all forms. Hun Manet also instructed the Ministry of Education to ensure these products are banned in and around schools, teacher training institutions, dormitories, community learning centers, gyms, and sports facilities.

    Cambodia first restricted shisha and e-cigarettes in 2014, citing serious health risks. The Ministry of Health warns that e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine and can be used with marijuana and other drugs, while shisha contains significant toxins.

  • Kenya’s Health Secretary Pushes to Regulate Miraa and Shisha

    Kenya’s Health Secretary Pushes to Regulate Miraa and Shisha

    Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told the Senate that the country currently lacks laws regulating the use of miraa and shisha, and called on Parliament to enact necessary legislation to control their consumption. Appearing before the Senate Delegated Legislation Committee during deliberations on the Graphic Health Warnings for Tobacco Products, Duale said the Tobacco Control Bill, sponsored by Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, offers a vital opportunity to introduce such controls.

    “The Ministry of Health fully supports the Bill,” Duale said. “We have submitted our proposed amendments and urge senators to pass it.” He also revealed that “powerful individuals” had tried to pressure the ministry into approving harmful tobacco products but insisted the entire government must safeguard public health.

    Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki raised the alarm over the lack of regulations for miraa, muguka, and shisha, calling them as dangerous as tobacco. He warned that the tobacco industry would likely attempt to influence lawmakers to block the Bill.

  • AIR Unveils First Sustainability Report and Roadmap

    AIR Unveils First Sustainability Report and Roadmap

    Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR) published its inaugural sustainability report, detailing a long-term strategy focused on public health, innovation, and environmental and social responsibility. The report positions AIR as a pioneer in tobacco- and nicotine-free shisha alternatives, highlighting major milestones such as the launch of Zodiac, a tea-based inhalation product, and OOKA, what the company says is the “world’s first pod-based, charcoal-free shisha device,” with over 14,500 devices and 500,000 pods sold to date.

    AIR’s new 2030 Roadmap, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, centers on five ESG (environmental, social, and governance) pillars: public health and innovation, working conditions, business integrity, environmental impact (notably water usage), and governance. The roadmap includes goals like improving gender diversity in leadership, strengthening supply chain standards, and increasing public education around harm reduction.

    “This report celebrates the huge progress we have already made in optimizing all aspects of our operations, but we are also aware that we have a responsibility to accelerate our ESG efforts over the coming years to protect the world around us,” AIR CEO Stuart Brazier said. “As the global leader in our industry, our purpose is to transform the sector by creating a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable inhalation experience whilst also preserving the rich social and cultural value of shisha.”

    The full report is available at www.air.global.

  • Study: Shisha to Increase 90% at Hospitality Venues

    Study: Shisha to Increase 90% at Hospitality Venues

    The global hospitality sector is experiencing a shisha boom, with venue owners worldwide expecting demand to surge over the next two years, according to new research from AIR, a global social inhalation business.

    The study, conducted with 400 hospitality businesses in Spain, Germany, the U.S., and the UAE that offer shisha, aimed to explore future demand and trends in those growing shisha markets. The study said 90% of the businesses expect to see demand for shisha increase over the next two years, with overwhelming backing seen across all four markets.

    The research also revealed that businesses are exploring ways to meet evolving consumer expectations and gain a competitive advantage, with 87% of the venues saying they are open to introducing charcoal-free alternatives, recognizing the value of offering a cleaner, safer, and more efficient experience that aligns with the growing focus on health-conscious options. 

    “Venues that embrace cutting-edge shisha innovations are not only future-proofing their operations but also building loyalty by enhancing the overall customer experience,” Ronan Barry, chief legal and corporate affairs officer at AIR said. “By improving operational efficiency and meeting evolving expectations, these businesses are positioning themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.”

    The research also said charcoal-free shisha would reduce staff workload (28%), appeal to health-conscious consumers (27%), boost revenue (25%), and help meet regulatory requirements (25%).

  • Cigarette Plain Packaging Among Tobacco Law Changes Macau Considering 

    Cigarette Plain Packaging Among Tobacco Law Changes Macau Considering 

    The Macau government plans to amend its tobacco control law, with Health Bureau director Alvis Lo Iek Long saying that standardized “plain packaging” for cigarettes will be a key measure to reduce tobacco’s appeal to young people.

    In an interview with public broadcaster TDM, Lo confirmed authorities are speeding up preliminary work on such a measure but noted no timeline has been set due to the legislative process.

    The proposed revisions also include expanding outdoor smoking bans to areas near schools and daycare centers, mirroring existing bus stop restrictions. Authorities also plan to trial “designated smoking areas” based on international models, aiming to balance the rights of smokers and non-smokers. Additionally, the amendment seeks to prohibit the import and sale of novel tobacco products, such as Middle Eastern shisha and herbal cigarettes.

    The current law allows different management entities to designate no-smoking zones, however, Lo said officials are working on pilot programs to define “smoking points” and establish clear signage systems, though specific trial locations have yet to be finalized.

  • Study: Charcoal-Free Shisha Significantly Less Harmful

    Study: Charcoal-Free Shisha Significantly Less Harmful

    In what the company calls “the world’s first charcoal-free shisha product,” OOKA announced the results of a study conducted by ASL Analytic Service Laboratory GmbH in Germany that found emissions from its heated system showed zero detection of many of the most harmful by-products of combustion, including carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, and benzo[a]pyrene – substances typically found in both cigarettes and charcoal-heated shisha. The peer-reviewed study was published today (April 30) in Nature’s Scientific Reports. 

    “As the first electronically heated shisha system, OOKA represents a major advancement in inhalation technology, providing a charcoal-free, smoke-free experience without compromising flavor or ritual,” the company said in a press release. “The product’s multi-patented design eliminates combustion-related toxicants while offering consumers a consistent and premium experience.

    “The study provides substantive new evidence that OOKA is a breakthrough in harm reduction, delivering one of the cleanest inhalation experiences currently available without any compromise on flavor and experience for users

    The study tested emissions from OOKA across 37 toxicants and showed that emissions of key aldehydes—including acrolein, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde—were reduced by up to 96% in the charcoal-free device compared to traditional shisha. When typical real-world consumption is factored in, toxicant exposure was estimated to be up to 100 times lower than cigarette smoking.

    “These findings have significant implications, not just for public health but also for shisha regulation and consumer understanding,” Dr. Ian Fearon, study co-author and a leading global expert in the scientific basis for tobacco harm reduction, said. “Misconceptions around waterpipe use have gone unchallenged for too long, and studies like this help bring clarity and credible data to a rapidly evolving category.”

    OOKA is one of six shisha/hookah brands under AIR (Advanced Inhalation Rituals).

  • Zimbabwe to Double Shisha Output

    Zimbabwe to Double Shisha Output

    Despite only increasing planted land by 25%, Zimbabwe is expected to see its Shisha crop double in 2025. Mostly being produced under a contract spearheaded by Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd. (CLZ), the increase in production is being attributed to the adoption of good agronomic practices, collaboration between growers and technicians, and favorable weather conditions.

    “We are projecting a total of 800,000 kilograms of cured Shisha tobacco by the end of the season, a significant increase from last year’s 400,000 kg,” Dr Rebecca Manford, chief executive officer for CLZ said. “The price for the crop has remained strong, with the highest price recorded so far at US$5.75 per kg, an increase from last season’s US$5.70.”

    Shisha was introduced commercially in Zimbabwe in 2022, and last year was negatively impacted by the El Nino drought. The number of growers increased from 65 to 125 this year, yet the land committed only increased from 388 to 485 hectares. Production of the crop has presented farmers with more investment opportunities to widen their farming business as part of the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan.

  • Belgium Finds Violations in 80% of Shisha Bars

    Belgium Finds Violations in 80% of Shisha Bars

    Belgium’s  Ministry of Public Health announced yesterday that more than 80% of the nation’s shisha bars were found to have violations. Of the 131 shisha bars inspected, 106 violated the smoking ban regulation and 107 offered non-compliant tobacco products, according to L’Avenir.

    Smoking tobacco is allowed in shisha bars, but only outside or in designated smoking rooms with a smoke extraction system and restricted space, as mandated by the tobacco regulations. Non-compliant smoking rooms along with the sale of non-compliant tobacco products were reported to be the two main issues found, followed by improper tobacco labeling and illegal tobacco advertising.

  • Zimbabwe farmers nearing shisha tobacco target

    Zimbabwe farmers nearing shisha tobacco target

     Cavendish Lloyd Zimbabwe’s chief executive officer, Dr. Rebecca Manford, welcomed the government’s extension of the seedbed destruction date to January 15, saying it would allow more farmers to continue transplanting as the nation approaches its shisha tobacco target.

     “For the 2024-25 season, the target is 514 hectares, and so far, 450 have been planted, making the set goal achievable,” Manford said. “Cavendish Lloyd has contracted 149 growers to produce a target yield of 775,000 kilograms, and with the ongoing support to farmers, we are optimistic of achieving this goal while ensuring a high-quality crop.”

    Now in its third year in production in Zimbabwe, Manford said the nation could become a significant player in the global shisha tobacco market with the crop driving economic growth and farmer empowerment. For this to happen, the farmers need the government to continue with its incentives which include expanding irrigation infrastructure, helping secure new export markets, and investing in research to develop high-yielding varieties, as well as subsidized inputs, loans, or grants. Cavendish Lloyd is currently the only registered and licensed shisha merchant by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

    Statistics from TIMB show commercial shisha production rose from 110 hectares in 2022-23 to 407 hectares in 2023-24, totaling nearly 400,000 kilograms worth US$1.3 million.

    Prolonged dry spells and insufficient irrigation facilities made farmers hesitant to jump into full-scale production, however, recent rains have made a positive impact on the crop. Cavendish Lloyd has begun an awareness campaign to attract more growers, that includes technical training and engagement with stakeholders to promote sustainable production solutions.