Cigarettes versus water‐pipes: Differences and similarities in factors predicting the use of cigarettes and water‐pipes among young male adults according to the planned‐behaviour theory

Abstract

Cigarette and water‐pipe smoking are responsible for substantial harmful health consequences. However, studies have often examined these two types of smoking in separate study samples. Thus, this study examined differences and similarities among factors predicting cigarette and water‐pipe smoking according to planned‐behaviour theory within the same sample. Two hundred and twenty‐one young Arab Israeli male adults (N = 221) completed demographic, self‐esteem and planned‐behaviour questionnaires. The study findings demonstrated that perceived ability to control one's water‐pipe use was significantly higher than perceived ability to control one's use of cigarettes. With regard to attitudes, norms and intentions, no significant differences were found between cigarette and water‐pipe use. Hierarchal multiple regressions showed that being Muslim, self‐esteem, negative attitudes and negative norms contributed to the explained variance of both cigarette and water‐pipe smoking. Self‐control contributed to the variance in cigarette smoking, but not water‐pipe smoking. The findings make an important contribution to our understanding of the differences and similarities in the factors predicting cigarette and water‐pipe use among young male adults. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.