Comparative analysis of waterpipe and cigarette suppression of abstinence and craving symptoms

Abstract

This study's objective is to examine the relative effectiveness of cigarettes and waterpipe (WP) in reducing tobacco abstinence symptoms in dual cigarette/WP smokers. Sixty-one dual cigarette/WP smokers participated (mean age ± SD 22.0 ± 2.6 yrs; mean cigarettes/day 22.4 ± 10.1; mean WPs/ week 5.2 ± 5.6). After 12-hour abstinence participants completed two smoking sessions (WP or cigarette), while they responded to subjective measures of withdrawal, craving, and nicotine effects administered before smoking and 5, 15, 30 and 45 minutes thereafter. For both tobacco use methods, scores on measures of withdrawal and craving were high at the beginning of session (i.e., before smoking) and were reduced significantly and comparably during smoking. Analysis of smoking and recovery (post-smoking) phases showed similarity in the way both tobacco use methods suppressed withdrawal and craving, but the recovery of some of these symptoms can be faster with cigarette use. This study is the first to show the ability of WP to suppress abstinence effects comparably to cigarettes, and its potential to thwart cigarette cessation.

Dependence on Tobacco and Nicotine Products: A Case for Product-Specific Assessment

“…Third, surveys indicate that at least some users endorse items indicating that they are " hooked on waterpipe " ( Smith-Simone, Maziak, Ward, & Eissenberg, 2008 ). Fourth, abstinent daily waterpipe users report withdrawal symptoms that are suppressed by waterpipe use (e.g., Rastam et al, 2011 ). Thus, available evidence from clinical studies, surveys, and qualitative interviews all support the idea that tobacco smoking using a waterpipe supports tobacco/nicotine dependence.…”

The Waterpipe; a New Way of Hooking Youth on Tobacco

“…3). 22 Qualitative studies of adult smokers extend this observation to indicate that waterpipe use among cigarette quitters not only helps deal with abstinence symptoms but can lead to failed quit attempts. For example, in the earlier mentioned qualitative study done by our team among adult waterpipe and cigarette smokers, one smoker stated, "I quit smoking [cigarettes] for more than 6 months.…”

Young adult waterpipe tobacco users’ perceived addictiveness of waterpipe tobacco

“…Third, waterpipe tobacco users endorse items indicating that they are 'hooked' on waterpipe and users' testimonials signify they are addicted 18 . Fourth, abstinent daily waterpipe users report withdrawal symptoms they suppress with waterpipe use 19 . The data from multiple clinical studies, population surveys, and in-depth interviews converge to support the hypothesis that WTS can lead to nicotine dependence.…”