RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Belief about harmfulness of smoking waterpipe (shisha) as compared to cigarette smoking
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1049
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Maria Malik
A1 Umair Misbah
A1 Quratul Ain Malik
A1 Ashok Kumar
A1 Shaista Ghazal
A1 Nadeem Rizvi
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1049.abstract
AB BACKGROUND:There is an increasing trend of smoking shisha amongst young people all over the world including Pakistan,without knowing its hazardous effects.OBJECTIVE: To assess belief about harmfulness of smoking shisha as compared to cigarette smoking as per view of public.METHODOLOGY:A questionnaire formed with the help of Chest Health and Education Society, was filled from 123 Pakistani students of age group 16-35 years. Subjects included shisha and cigarette smokers and non smokers.Result: Analysis showed that 71% of cigarette and 56% of shisha users knew about its contents while rests were unaware. Shisha was more popular in 16-28 years of age group while people above 28 years prefer cigarette smoking. Among females,41% were found to be inclined towards shisha while 8% towards cigarette.For 20.3% subjects shisha was sign of modernization and social tool while 9.7% thought cigarette reduces stress.More people(19.5%) were comfortable in smoking shisha in front of their families while only 1.6% cigarette users had this comfort level.On questioning about quitting shisha,50.4% were not sure of the answer while 24.3% did not want to. With cigarette smoking, 31.7% people wanted to quit (p <0.05). On questioning about parental consent, 80% parents forbade cigarette smoking but only 20% were against shisha use (p <0.05).Conclusion.Shisha in today‘s world is considered a recreational tool rather than a drug; hence its popularity is reaching new heights.Parents permit their children to smoke shisha but shun cigarettes. Electronic media should put a ban on its advertisement and spread awareness regarding different forms of tobacco smoking.