Dhoka vogue among Bahrain youth

Manama : Posing great risk to health, the habit of smoking Dhoka is rampant among children as young as 15 years old in Bahrain. Dhoka is made by mixing shredded tobacco with leaves, bark and herbs. Its use is known to cause various health complications, including chronic cough, chest infections and oral lesions. 

Increased risk of mouth, throat and lungs cancer has also been linked to the prolonged use of the substance. It is easily available from tobacco shops or even cold stores. Its availability in cold stores has made it easy for students to purchase them. A small packet of Dhoka costs BD 3 or 4 or 5 depending on its quality. Though tobacco shops are the main outlets for Dhoka sale, young students can snap it up from cold stores. 

A Muharraq-based student told DT News that the product is preferred to cigarettes as it is cheaper and creates a better ‘buzz.’ 

“It is definitely cheaper when you consider that a pack of cigarette costs around 1 BD and you buy a new packet every two or three days. But with Dhoka, it lasts much longer than that. It creates a much better and a longer lasting buzz.” “We feel safe to use it because it’s not an illegal drug. It does not alter the mental state like some drugs do.” 

A salesman at a cold store candidly admitted to selling the product to children. “Its a popular product. It is moving quickly from the shelves,” he said. According to a source, it is not uncommon for cold stores to sell tobacco products to youngsters who are below the age of 18. “It illegal to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products to those below the age of 18, but many violate this rule,” the source added.