Insights into Cigarette and Waterpipe Use among Houston-Based Arab Immigrants and Refugees

Abstract

Despite the decrease in tobacco use in the United States, it remains a public health concern among Arab Americans. Yet, limited studies have examined tobacco use among this population, especially among Arab refugees who experience significant stressors of displacement and resettlement that potentially influence the onset, maintenance, and addiction of tobacco. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe use (the most common forms of tobacco use among Arabs) in a sample of 250 Arab Americans, including refugees (76% female; 41.4 ± 12.4 years) residing in a large Houston metropolitan area. We observed that the prevalence of current cigarette smokers was significantly higher among males than females (45% and 3.2%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the prevalence of current waterpipe smokers was significantly higher among males than females (16.