• Findings from independent study support existing aerosol chemistry analyses that suggest waterpipe use may result in lower exposure to harmful chemicals than cigarette smoking

 The world’s first charcoal-free shisha product, OOKA, emits substantially lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) than both traditional charcoal-heated waterpipes and combustible cigarettes, according to a new peer reviewed study published  in Nature’s Scientific Reports. 

 The study provides substantive new evidence that OOKA, developed by AIR, the global social inhalation company behind leading shisha brand Al Fakher, is a breakthrough in harm reduction, delivering one of the cleanest inhalation experiences currently available without any compromise on flavour and experience for users.

 Conducted by ISO 17025 accredited ASL Analytic Service Laboratory GmbH in Germany, the study tested emissions from OOKA across 37 toxicants, including carbon monoxide, aldehydes and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) – chemicals associated with serious health risks such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

 When tested, emissions from OOKA 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 study also 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.

 Compared to other formats such as heat management devices (HMDs) used with traditional waterpipes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), the charcoal free shisha device consistently outperformed across most toxicant measures.

 Furthermore, in contrast to the habitual daily use of cigarettes, toxicant exposure from even traditional shisha use is proven to be significantly lower due to both the chemical profile of the aerosol and to its infrequent consumption – typically once or twice per week. As a result, most users’ total intake from waterpipe smoking is substantially reduced.

 Dr Ian Fearon, co-author and a leading global expert in the scientific basis for tobacco harm reduction commented: “These findings have significant implications, not just for public health but also for shisha regulation and consumer understanding. 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.”

 Ronan Barry, Chief Regulatory & Legal Officer at AIR, further commented: “The OOKA was designed to deliver a modern shisha experience that doesn’t compromise on enjoyment, while significantly reducing exposure to toxicants. By removing charcoal and precisely controlling heating temperatures, we’ve virtually eliminated most of the high-risk compounds typically associated with waterpipe use.

 “I hope that the findings in this study will stimulate new conversations and open new avenues for charcoal-free shisha devices to be rolled out further around the world, in line with the anticipated increase in consumer demand. We are ready and willing to partner with decision makers and authorities, and engage in open and transparent dialogue, to make this a reality.”

 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 product’s multi-patented design eliminates combustion-related toxicants while offering consumers a consistent and premium experience.

 The research supports existing studies that suggest waterpipe use may result in lower exposure to harmful chemicals than cigarette smoking. The findings also affirm OOKA’s potential to be a category-defining product that aligns with broader harm reduction strategies across the tobacco and nicotine industries. As regulators and health authorities worldwide continue to evaluate alternatives to combustible products, AIR remains committed to science-backed innovation and transparent engagement to support evidence-based decision making.

The article Charcoal-free shisha significantly less harmful, new study reveals appeared first on Arabian Post.

Lack of access to family planning and contraception methods is a significant barrier to achieving gender equality, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It not only affects women’s health but also hinders their socio-economic empowerment. When women can’t control their reproductive rights, they often face challenges in pursuing education, entering the workforce, and contributing to the economy. This lack of access also has ripple effects on economic productivity, as nations miss out on the potential contributions of half their population.

This is one of the key points of the inaugural Middle East & North Africa Contraception Policy Atlas which was released by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) in Cairo.

The MENA Contraception Policy Atlas offers a comprehensive analysis of 21 countries on aspects such as political leadership, access to contraceptives, national and international policies, and funding.  The Atlas reveals that while most countries have taken concrete steps at the policy level to ensure access to reproductive health for everyone, more needs to be done to further strengthen the mechanisms in place. This launch holds particular significance as, per the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 60.5% of married Arab women aspire to avoid short-term pregnancies, yet 40% of them do not use safe and effective family planning methods.

Key MENA Highlights:

• 52% of countries have initiated policy measures to guarantee universal access to contraception. However, barriers, including misinformation and financial constraints, persist.
• 14% provide governmental websites on contraception.
• 62% have made pledges to family planning through global organizations and networks.
• A mere 6 out of 21 countries recognize the right to determine family size, timing, and spacing of children.

The article Lack of access to family planning major hurdle for gender equality appeared first on Arabian Post.

The world of weed is ever changing and rapidly evolving. With more than half of the American states legalising cannabis in some form, be it for medicinal purposes or for recreational purposes, it’s hard to keep up with all the new laws, products, and research that are coming out every day.

There is a lot of confusion about what you can do legally, and what you can’t do, with marijuana in different parts of America. The world of marijuana is changing rapidly and this is because of just how new the market still is. These changes are incredibly important for businesses and brands to know about when trying to establish themselves, so here are a few trends and changes that and cannabis brand might need to know.

A lot more products

Marijuana, for the longest time, was illegal all around the world with only a few places allowing for people to make use of it medicinally and practically nowhere allowing people to use it recreationally. Even making use of it medicinally, people needed to have some form of doctor’s letter or license to make use of it.

Now, since the legalization of both medicinal marijuana and recreational marijuana in places all other the world there are so many new products that have been developed. This also comes from all the new technology that the world has been developed, bringing together the world of tech and the world of marijuana. There are various different inhalation products, sold by many stores, like Smoke Cartel, such as vaporisers and dry herb vaporisers, bongs, and dab rigs, other ingestible such as edibles, and even tinctures. These days, there is bound to be something for everyone, whether you don’t want to smoke or just want to feel a different kind of high.

Indoor cultivation

The cannabis plant is exactly what it sound like; a plant. Typically plats or even who farms of plants are grown outside on big areas of land that just need to live off the earth to survive. New technology and research has developed a way to produce marijuana in a more efficient and productive manner by producing and growing the plants indoors. With indoor cultivation you can control practically every aspect of the plant from the soil, to the light, to the amount of water it receives, all of which is crucial to growing marijuana properly and successfully.

Not only this, but indoor cultivation also seems to produce product at a faster rate because of the fact that all of the components are very controlled. With indoor cultivation, it aid in people creating and working on specific strains that will be good for certain things too such as receiving a better or stronger high, or having a bit of pain relief, or even just having a better taste.

More legalization

As mentioned earlier, marijuana was illegal for an extremely long time with many people finding themselves imprisoned for the sale, possession, or use of any kind of marijuana. Slowly places around the world started to allow for the medicinally use of marijuana only for those who carried a card that allowed them to buy from a registered dispensary.

Finally in 2012, the USA saw its first two states, Washington and Colorado, legalising the recreational use of cannabis and any accessories that go along with it. In the 11 years since then, more and more states in the USA have begun to legalise recreational use of marijuana as well as various countries all over the world. Although there are still quite a few places that heavily frown upon it and it is still very illegal.

Banking reform

At this current point in time, there is a stigma around marijuana and how it affects the body and mind, and there is also the fact that marijuana isn’t completely legal worldwide. Because of this, it means there is no banking available to those companies which produce and sell marijuana. As the industry grows and becomes bigger and bigger it is believed that various countries will finally grant legal cannabis businesses access to baking and other financial services. By allowing cannabis businesses access to banking it opens up a while new world in the realm of cannabis and it will make a huge impact on the entire industry.

The article What’s new in the world of weed? appeared first on Arabian Post.