How popular is waterpipe tobacco smoking? Findings from internet search queries

Abstract

Objectives Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), a traditional tobacco consumption practice in the Middle East, is gaining popularity worldwide. Estimates of population-level interest in WTS over time are not documented. We assessed the popularity of WTS using World Wide Web search query results across four English-speaking countries. Methods We analysed trends in Google search queries related to WTS, comparing these trends with those for electronic cigarettes between 2004 and 2013 in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. Weekly search volumes were reported as percentages relative to the week with the highest volume of searches. Results Web-based searches for WTS have increased steadily since 2004 in all four countries. Search volume for WTS was higher than for e-cigarettes in three of the four nations, with the highest volume in the USA. Online searches were primarily targeted at WTS products for home use, followed by searches for WTS cafés/lounges. Conclusions Online demand for information on WTS-related products and venues is large and increasing. Given the rise in WTS popularity, increasing evidence of exposure-related harms, and relatively lax government regulation, WTS is a serious public health concern and could reach epidemic levels in Western societies.

Effectiveness of health warnings for waterpipe tobacco smoking among college students

“…In the past decade, waterpipe smoking has become a global phenomenon among youth, many of whom are unaware of the health risks associated with this form of tobacco consumption (Maziak et al 2015; Salloum et al 2014; Salloum et al 2015b). There are currently no evidence based warning label requirements for waterpipe products, whereas warnings on cigarette packaging is a major form of communicating tobacco-related health risks to users and others exposed to their smoke (Hammond et al 2006; O’Hegarty et al 2006).…”

Factors associated with smoking frequency among current waterpipe smokers in the United States: Findings from the National College Health Assessment II

“…Waterpipe smoking (also known as hookah, shisha, and narghileh) is increasing in popularity in the United States, with the highest prevalence rates reported among college students (Maziak et al, 2015; Salloum et al, 2014). Waterpipe smoke contains many of the same toxicants as cigarette smoke (Shihadeh et al, 2015), and waterpipe smoking has been associated with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, periodontal disease, and obstetric and perinatal complications (Akl et al, 2010; El-Zaatari et al, 2015).…”

Shisha smoking centers in a satellite township near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: an observational study.

“…Krauss et al, analysed chatter content about shisha on twitter. Analysis showed that 19% were advertisements/ promotions for shisha venues/ products 13 . Shisha venues providing catering services to birthday parties and wedding functions should be considered as worrying trend.…”

“…Independent sample t test assuming equal variances was used on the data collected with a p value set at 0.05. Simple descriptive statistics of the observed findings were analysed using MedCalc 13 .…”