Prevalence of Hookah Smoking among University Students – Cross Sectional Study

Background: While cigarette smoking is on the decline, hookah smoking another form of tobacco smoke, has reached to epidemic levels. Very few studies have reported prevalence and the risk factors associated with hookah smoking in the general population (1). Objective: To determine the prevalence of hookah use and provide information on the knowledge, attitudes, and the current practices associated with hookah smoking among students. Methods: In a cross sectional survey during April 2012, a sample of 478 university students were interviewed. Self-reported questionnaire was used for collecting information on the prevalence, knowledge, and practices of hookah smoking. Results: Over 15% (n=76) of the participants were current hookah smokers (defined as hookah use in the past 30 days). Out of these 76 current smokers, 61.8% (n=47) were males, and 38.1% (n=29) were females. The current prevalence when stratified by ethnicity was: Caucasian 44.3%, Asian 22.9%, Middle Eastern 12.9, Hispanic 10%, African American 2.9%, Native American 0%, and Other Ethnicities 25%. Over 39% of the current smokers were smoking hookah at least once/twice a week, 5.26% on daily basis, and 55.3% at least once a month. Prevalence of alcohol use and cigarette smoking was 59% and14% respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings from our study we conclude that hookah smoking is a raising public health concern, its rapid increase and popularity among young adults signifies the need for preventive public health policies as rigorous and as similar to those implemented against cigarette smoking.