Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on a U.S. College Campus: Prevalence and Correlates

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.10.004

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 42, Issue 5, May 2008, Pages 526-529

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.10.004 Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

Waterpipe tobacco smoking is reported to be growing in popularity, particularly among college students. This study examined the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking prevalence and perceptions in a university-based population.

Method

This was a cross-sectional Internet-based survey of first-year university students, which examined waterpipe tobacco smoking and other tobacco use, risk perceptions, influences, and perceived social acceptability.

Results

Waterpipe tobacco smoking within the past 30 days was reported by 20% (151/744). Relative to never users, users were more likely to perceive waterpipe tobacco smoking as less harmful than cigarette use.

Conclusions

Because waterpipe tobacco smoking is increasing in prevalence and because it can involve toxicant inhalation at even greater levels than with cigarette smoking, it represents a growing public health issue.

Section snippets

Methods

A cross-sectional, institutional review board–exempt, Internet survey was conducted among the 1,194 students enrolled in VCU Introduction to Psychology courses (March 8 through May 4, 2006). Participants were at least 18 years of age and earned course credit for research participation. Except for university-specific content, survey items were as reported elsewhere [3] and covered demographics, tobacco use, risk perceptions, and perceived social acceptability. The survey was completed by 744

Results

Participant demographics are described in detail in Table 1. Of the 744 participants, 65% were women, 72% were 18 or 19 years old, 57% were of white ethnicity, and 20% had smoked a waterpipe in the past 30 days.

In a multivariable model (Table 2), use of a waterpipe during the past 30 days, compared to never-use, was associated with greater likelihood of having smoked cigarettes (OR = 10.44) and cigars or cigarillos (OR = 6.31) in the past 30 days, greater likelihood of believing that waterpipe

Discussion

Results from this survey of 744 undergraduates indicate that past 30-day waterpipe tobacco smoking was 20%. Given previous reports [2], [3], [8], [9], waterpipe tobacco smoking seems common on U.S. college campuses and the potential health risks of this behavior [5], [7] suggest that it may become a significant public health problem. Results also indicate that those who had used waterpipes in the past 30 day were much less likely than never-users to believe that waterpipe use is as harmful as

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by United States Public Health Service grants R01CA103827, R01DA011082, R01TW005962, and R03TW07233.

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Adolescent health briefWaterpipe Tobacco Smoking on a U.S. College Campus: Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Food Chem Toxicol

TobReg Advisory NoteWaterpipe Tobacco Smoking: Health Effects, Research Needs and Recommended Actions by Regulators

An old custom, a new threat to tobacco control

Am J Public Health

Harm perception of nicotine products in college freshmen

Nicotine Tob Res

Adolescent health brief
Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on a U.S. College Campus: Prevalence and Correlates