[Video] People Try Thuốc Lào for the First Time

Youtubers Trong Trắng recently conducted a bit of a science experiment, giving a group of Vietnamese 20-somethings their first experience with a tobacco bong (điếu cày).

The điếu cày is a popular companion for everyone from café-goers to parking attendants who are looking for a greater high than normal cigarettes provide, or simply a strong digestive aid.

A diếu cày is packed with thuốc lào (Nicotiana rustica), a very potent variety of tobacco with a high concentration of nicotine (around 9% compared to 2 – 8% for Nicotiana tabacum, the tobacco commonly found in cigarettes).

While some smokers in the video suffered some legit coughing fits, they may have been smoking a fairly weak version given the reactions of these guys:

Typically after taking a hit, the smoker experiences a few seconds of strong dizziness and what looks like an overall bad trip. According to a submission on Wikipedia:

“It should be said however that even heavy cigarette smokers have had trouble with the intense volume of smoke, the high nicotine content, and that side effects include nausea and vomiting.”

Any volunteers?