Fallacies about Water Pipe Use in Turksih University Students - What Might Be the Consequences?

Abstract

Background: The popularity of the narghile waterpipe, also referred to as hookah, shisha or hubble-bubble has increased tremendously during the past few decades. The aim of this study was to expose perception of narghile among a representative sample of university students in Sakarya University campus. Materials and Methods: Written approval was taken from the local education authority. An anonymous questionnaire which was prepared by the investigators and contained 17 questions was administered. Nine of the questions were related to socio-demographic characteristics and eight were related to the students harm perceptions about waterpipe. A total of 1,320 questionnaries were received and after preliminary evaluation 1,255 (95.7%) were found to be suitable for evaluation. The data was evaluated in SPSS program by using percentages and averages. Results: The mean±SD age of the students was 20.8±2.29 years (min 18, max 32). There were 864 (68.8%) females and 391 (31.2%) males. A total of 6.3 % of the students (n=79) believed that waterpipe is not harmful because its smoke does not burn the lungs. Almost one-third (n=318) think that the carcinogenic chemicals are filtered while waterpipe smoke passes from the water; 12.1 % of the students (n=152) checked "true" for the statement of "waterpipe smoke contains no nicotine". It is seen that 14.0 % of the students (n=176) think waterpipe with fruit/ aroma is healthier than plain waterpipe. Conclusions: As a result of this study, it is found out that a substantial number of university students have false beliefs on harmful effects of waterpipe smoking.

Waterpipe smoking among secondary school students in Hong Kong

“…Young people underestimate the addictiveness of waterpipe smoking (Alvur et al 2014;Daniels and Roman 2013;Grekin and Ayna 2012;Heinz et al 2013;Smith et al 2011), and this misconception is a significant predictor of waterpipe smoking (Eissenberg et al 2008;Heinz et al 2013;Smith-Simone et al 2008;Smith et al 2011). Another misconception is about the harms of waterpipe smoking.…”

“…Another misconception is about the harms of waterpipe smoking. A great proportion of adolescents and young adults, including both waterpipe users and nonusers, misconceive that waterpipe is less harmful than regular cigarettes (Alvur et al 2014;Daniels and Roman 2013;Heinz et al 2013;Jawad et al 2013;Smith et al 2011Smith et al , 2007Villanti et al 2015). This false perception also predicts waterpipe smoking (Heinz et al 2013;Minaker et al 2015;Villanti et al 2015).…”

Reproductive Toxicity to Male Mice of Nose Only Exposure to Water- Pipe Smoke

“…The popularity of water pipe smoking (WPS) has tremendously increased globally during the last few years [1,2,3]. According to Maziak et al [4], WPS nomenclature is region - specific and includes names such as “hooka” (Africa and Indian subcontinent); “narghile” (Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria); “Shisha”, “boory” or “goza” (Egypt, Saudi Arabia) and “Hubble bubble” (many regions).…”

Water pipe smoking and dermatologic consequences

“…Although there is a common belief among water pipe users that water pipes are less harmful than cigarette smoking, this has not been substantiated by any scientific data . Exposure to nicotine, heavy metals, cancerous nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mercapturic acid metabolites and radioactive isotopes is significiant .…”

“…1,7 Water pipe smoking is not less harmful than cigarette smoking Although there is a common belief among water pipe users that water pipes are less harmful than cigarette smoking, this has not been substantiated by any scientific data. 8 Exposure to nicotine, heavy metals, cancerous nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mercapturic acid metabolites and radioactive isotopes is significiant. 9,10 The exposure to nicotine is comparable to cigarette smoking but the exposure time is significantly longer leading to an 1.7 fold increase in the nicotine dose.…”