PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Makan Sadr AU - Ali Abdolahinia AU - Mohammadreza Masjedi TI - Prevalence of hookah consumption in Tehran DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P4068 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4068.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4068.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - 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.