What is Dhookah?
Dhookah is the only single-use hookah and disposable that prevents cross-contamination, hence the safest option available for smokers to enjoy their time smoking a hookah. Moreover, Dhookah is also geared toward solving major hospitality problems, such as outlets completely closing down due to the risk of contamination or seeing income drastically depleted by the ban of unsafe, multi-use hookahs. That’s why our product redefines the smoking experience.
How did you come up with such an innovative product?
I have worked in the F&B industry for the last 23 years. When Covid-19 struck, all the restaurants with hookah services in Lebanon closed down, which was a big disaster for the entire sector and the economy as a whole. I decided to fix the problem, and after months of research, I found out that the only solution to reopening such restaurants was to create an environmentally friendly, single-use, disposable hookah.
What are the benefits of offering guests disposable hookahs rather than conventional ones?
It is scientifically proven that the conventional multi-use hookahs can never be cleaned well enough to kill all bacteria, germs and viruses. Moreover, the plastic used is not disposable; it can be opened, manipulated and can even become more toxic when heat is applied. Dhookah is a single-use solution, which is unwrapped by the guest. It is untouched by any person apart from the user and is immediately crushed and disposed of after it is used once. As Dhookah is made from FDA-approved treated tin — a fully recyclable and food-grade safe material — it is collected by our distributors after usage and sent for recycling.
What is your vision for Dhookah?
My aim is to provide a solution for hookah smokers all over the world who have been unable to enjoy smoking during the pandemic. I also intend to support hospitality outlets, giving them the opportunity to offer their customers hookahs that fully respect all Covid-19 safety rules. Dhookah was not made to encourage people to smoke but to simply provide smokers with a solution that shields them from contamination and virus transmission.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
