The prevalence and trends of waterpipe tobacco smoking: A systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionWaterpipe tobacco smoking is harmful to health however its prevalence estimates remain uncertain. We aimed to systematically review the medical literature on waterpipe tobacco prevalence and trends.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase and ISI Web of Science for ‘waterpipe’ and its synonyms, without using language or date restrictions. We included any measure of waterpipe tobacco smoking prevalence in jurisdictionally representative populations. We stratified findings by prevalence measure (past 30 day, ever, regular or occasional, daily, other or unspecified) and age (adults or youth).ResultsWe included 129 studies reporting 355 estimates for 68 countries. In general, prevalence estimates among adults were highest in the Eastern Mediterranean, and among youth were about equal between Eastern Mediterranean and European regions. Past 30 day use was highest among Lebanese youth (37.2% in 2008), ever use was highest among Lebanese youth in 2002 and Lebanese university students in 2005 (both 65.3%), regular or occasional use was highest in among Iranian university students (16.3% in 2005), and daily use was highest among Egyptian youth (10.4% in 2005). Trend data were limited but most studies reported increased use over time, ranging from 0.3–1.0% per year among youth in the US to 2.9% per year among youth in Jordan (both for past 30 day use). Results were similar for ever use trends. Turkey (2.3% in 2008 to 0.8% in 2010) and Iraq (6.3% in 2008 and 4.8% in 2012) both witnessed decreased waterpipe use.ConclusionWaterpipe tobacco smoking is most prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean and European countries, and appears higher among youth than adults. Continued surveillance will be important to assess and inform policy measures to control waterpipe tobacco use.

Waterpipe smoking cessation: knowledge, barriers, and practices of primary care physicians- a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study

“…Given the growing rate of the waterpipe epidemic specifically among young adults, a recent meta-analysis has reported the Eastern Mediterranean Region to have the highest estimates for ever use of waterpipe tobacco among youth ranging from 12.9% among secondary school in Iran to 65.9% among secondary school and university students in Lebanon [5,13]. Meanwhile, data from other regions of the world demonstrate a similar trend.…”

Prevalence and Pattern of Tobacco use among Young Adults Attending a Tertiary care Hospital in Central India

“…[14] Earlier a ubiquitous but incorrect public perception was that waterpipe tobacco is less harmful than cigarettes but the recent systemic reviews counteract these misperceptions. [15,16] One of the limitation of the present study is lack of assuring the self-reported behaviour through biochemical confirmation (Serum Cotinine levels). The self-reporting may under estimate the use, though anonymity was assured.…”

Waterpipe Smoking Is Associated with Changes in Fibrinogen, FVII, and FVIII Levels

“…In the last decades, waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), a noncigarette method of tobacco use, has emerged and is now gaining worldwide popularity [1, 2]. According to a recent review, WTS is most prevalent in the Eastern Mediterranean and European countries, and its use increases over time [3]. For example, a 0.5–3% increase in WTS per year among youth was reported in several countries, including the United States [4, 5].…”