The adverse health effects of waterpipe smoking in adolescents and young adults: A narrative review

Abstract

Waterpipe (WP) smoking has rapidly grown in popularity in the United States and other Western countries with the fastest uptake among younger individuals. This growth has been encouraged by the misperception that WP smoke is harmless or less harmful than cigarette smoke. To better understand how WP affects the health of young people, we conducted a narrative review of the literature focusing on the adverse health effects of WP smoking in adolescents and younger adults. We searched scientific literature databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web and selected papers that met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-three papers met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Data were abstracted from the selected papers into a standardized table. The evidence demonstrates that WP smoking can cause acute lung infection and injury, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, in adolescents and young adults. It is also associated with adverse subclinical effects in this sub-population, including oral and systemic genotoxicity, lung function decline, and the alteration of vascular and hemodynamic functions. Limited evidence that is available indicates associations with psychological and neurological effects and asthma. No identified publications examined the association between WP use and type 2 diabetes, a condition that is associated with cigarette smoking among young people. WP smoking by younger individuals can result in their hospitalization due to systemic CO poisoning and acute lung disease, and induce subclinical adverse effects in the oral cavity, pulmonary system, and in circulation, that are involved in the pathogenesis of local and systemic chronic diseases.

Prevalence of waterpipe smoking and its associated factors among adolescents aged 12–16 years in 73 countries/territories

“…The harmful effects of waterpipe smoking are not restricted to adults, with adverse health effects such as acute lung infection and injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, and subclinical consequences (e.g., lung function decline, oral and systemic genotoxicity, and the alteration of vascular and hemodynamic functions) found among adolescents ( 14 ). Abbadi et al found that waterpipe nicotine dependence was associated with depressive symptoms among adolescents ( 15 ).…”

Evaluation of Cellular Changes and Immunohistochemistry Expression of p53 and p16 in the Oral Mucosa Among Saudi Smokers

“…Yet, in this study, the incidence of cytological changes exceeded that of prior research. This may be due to the presence of cigar smokers and individuals who consume toombak, both of whom can induce abnormal changes in oral epithelial cells within the cohort [ 19 ].…”

The Prevalence of Water Pipe Smoking and Perceptions on its Addiction among University Students in Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey

“…Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC Ratio are essential parameters for the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases. Water Pipe smoking results in a significant reduction in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio (Adetona et al, 2021). Furthermore, Water Pipe smoking increases the probability of developing gastric cancer, even though the mechanism is still unknown.…”

“…However, Water Pipe smokers might inhale more smoke than cigarette smokers due to the longer duration of Water Pipe smoking. In addition, one session of Water Pipe smoking is found to be equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes (Adetona et al, 2021). High concentrations of nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals are present in the Water Pipe smoke (Taati et al, 2020).…”