No abstract

No abstract

Background Hookah use may be increasing among adults in the United States. Information on the prevalence and correlates of hookah use in the adult population is relatively limited. Objectives To determine the prevalence of current (past 30-day) and lifetime use of hookah among adults ages 18–40 in the United States, and to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics associated with lifetime use. Methods Data were drawn from the Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey data from May 2010, August 2010, and January 2011 (n=85,545). Logistic regression was used to examine various demographic correlates of lifetime hookah use. Results Among 18–40 year olds, the past-month prevalence rate of hookah use was 0.6% and the lifetime prevalence rate of hookah use was 3.9%. Being male, non-Hispanic White, having higher levels of educational attainment, having never been married, not having any children, earning less than $20,000 annually, residing in the Midwest or Western United States, being a student, and being a cigarette smoker were associated with increased likelihood of lifetime hookah use. The prevalence of hookah use among current, non-daily cigarette smokers was 10.7%, more than double that of the general adult population. Conclusions Hookah use is significantly more common among cigarette smokers and among various demographic sub-groups of the general adult population. Given the risks associated with hookah and poly-tobacco use, targeted public health efforts are recommended. Additionally, healthcare providers may consider expanding screening tests to include hookah use.