A recent study reveals startlingly high trends in waterpipe tobacco use among college students, specifically among male freshmen. Commonly known as “hookah,” waterpipe tobacco is inhaled in various flavored forms (often mixed with fruit or honey) through a waterpipe, which directs smoke through water before it is inhaled. Hookah use has increased in popularity, most likely due to its reputation for being a less dangerous alternative to cigarette smoking, although it has been recently linked with lung cancer, periodontal disease, and other pathologies in other reports. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) tobacco regulations only cover cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
The researchers surveyed over 3,700 college students at various institutions throughout North Carolina to determine prevalence of hookah use and how this use might be influenced by factors such as accessibility, gender, perceptions of danger, and use of other drugs. Researchers found that over 17% of participants had used hookah within the 30 days prior to taking the survey, and that over 40% of participants had used it at some point in the past. Males were more likely to use hookah than were females, consistent with findings from previous studies of college-age participants. Interestingly, researchers also discovered that there is an increased likelihood of hookah use when it is more publicly accessible (in a cafe or bar, for example) and when users perceive it as less harmful than cigarettes.
While this study aptly assesses college-age drug use and attitudes, further research is necessary on waterpipe tobacco use and its health effects among college students and wider exploration of sex differences in drug use on college campuses and beyond.
Contributing writer: Heather Pieske
Related posts:
8 Comments
It’s amazing how popular Shisha (as Hookah is known here in London, UK) has become in youth culture over the last few years. It is very popular for a group of friends to go to a North African-style cafe and smoke Shisha outside in a heated garden. I think it is generally seen as less harmful than cigarettes, although as you point out, it has still been linked with lung cancer. As to whether more guys do it than girls, I’m not so sure, although i am based in the UK, not the US. It’s a very common site here to see mixed sex groups at these cafes smoking waterpipe tobacco.
Translate
Many young people now smoke waterpipes, because they think that waterpipes are less dangerous, but I’ve read some studies that says just opposite, so I think it is even better to smoke classic ciggaretes. Of course the best is not to smoke at all.
Translate
I will like to share an important information regarding this.Many of the people may not know the origin of so called WATER PIPES.
These Hookahs have taken birth from the land of INDIA.
Although it has came into fashion just today,but they have been used in India for more then hundreds of years.
In the villages people of our great grandfather age use to use these hookah.
Today they may be seen in form of brass metal pots and various designs but previously only a pitcher made of clay were used and coal was used in the bottom to boil the water stored .
A large round tablet shaped disc of tobacco was placed on the top of boiling water with the help of net and then the tobacco’s vapors were inhaled through it.
Even ladies used to take these in ancient India.
A small form of hookah is also present which is called something like “hookhi” and in that only one clay made pipe od about 5 cms is used to fill and inhale tobacco.
Youngsters are very very instantaneously going on the path of drugs and drinks and health and average age is decreasing.We hope that youth can understand the harms of these things and quit them as soon as possible.
Thank You
Translate
IMHO, waterpipe tobacco is just another form of TOBACCO. And it still has bad effects on young people’s health. No exception!
Translate
Really, very useful information
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog
Translate
Tobacco inhaled via any medium is harmful. Water-pipes have a long history in middle eastern countries and can be used for even more harmful substances than tobacco.
Translate
Tobacco in any shape or form is very harmful. The evidence linking it to to lung cancer and other diseases is too strong to ignore. Just as smoking is discouraged in most countries, so should every other use of tobacco including use of the substance in hookahs. I haven’t read about any evidence that funneling tobacco smoke through water makes it any less dangerous.
Translate
I’m impressed, I should say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining details, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding.
Translate