Abstract
Background and Objective: Not much information is available in the literature regarding the prevalence and pattern of hookah consumption in eastern Mediterranean region especially in Iran. But studies conducted in a few Arabic countries in the region indicated the increasing trend of hookah smoking.
This present study evaluated the pattern of hookah consumption among males and females residing in Tehran.
Materials and Methods: This study was performed during summer of 2011. A total of 1,500 subjects were randomly questioned in 20 main squares of Tehran using a standard questionnaire for hookah consumption.
Knowledge of people about the hazards of hookah smoking, hookah consumption by close friends and cigarette smoking were among the questions asked.
Results: Of the understudy subjects, 446 (29.7%) reported hookah smoking and 1,052 (70.1%) did not. The mean age of subjects who mentioned hookah smoking was 25.54±7.9 yrs. Places of hookah consumption were reported to be in ethnic restaurants by 196 (43.9%), home by 126 (28.3%), and parks by 122 (27.4%). In case of prohibition of hookah consumption in public places, 217 (48.7%) stated that they are going to do it at home, 166 (37.2%) said that they would no longer do it. In general, 238 (53.4%) subjects stated that they would decrease their consumption in case of placing a ban on hookah smoking in public places. Pleasure was reported as the reason for hookah smoking by 348 (78%) individuals. The mean monthly expense for hookah consumption was 18 dollars.
Conclusion: Despite the present ban on tobacco consumption in public places, highest rate of hookah smoking still occurs in ethnic restaurants which clearly shows lack of law enforcement.
- © 2012 ERS