Journal article
Social norms and attitudes linked to waterpipe use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.98, pp.125-134
12/2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.007
PMID: 24331890
Abstract
Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is on the rise globally, particularly among vulnerable populations such as youth and women. Increasing knowledge about toxicant yield from waterpipe tobacco and deleterious health effects points to the potential for a health epidemic. WTS is often viewed as a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. Though the original objective of the research was to explore the social norms and attitudes that lead to waterpipe being a more acceptable form of tobacco smoking for women than cigarettes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the use of a qualitative research methodology resulted in rich data that helped to understand more generally the phenomenon of waterpipe smoking. Both focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used. Participants were recruited to represent genders, various age groups, socioeconomic status, waterpipe smoking status, and residents of urban and rural areas. A total of 81 FGDs and 38 in-depth interviews were conducted in 2007. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts. A total of ten themes emerged: socio-cultural norms, gender differences, motivation to smoke, sensory characteristics of waterpipe, metaphors, consumerism, indicators of dependence, comparison between cigarettes and waterpipe, health effect of smoking, and intervention. Results indicated that WTS has socio-cultural dynamics associated with it that are far more pronounced than health considerations. An increased socio-cultural acceptability, the perceived reduced harm and the advent of the fruity Moassel tobacco are among the many reasons for WTS acceptability. Findings point to the need for a unified strategy to address this health issue at all levels of the ecological framework and have important implications for future policy and practice.
•Provides insight into the factors that have popularized waterpipe smoking.•Of ten clear themes affecting the epidemic, only two are related to health effects.•Social and industry factors were strongly linked to the lure of the waterpipe.•Suggests implications for policy and practice to control waterpipe smoking globally.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Social norms and attitudes linked to waterpipe use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
- Creators
- Rima Afifi - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonJoanna Khalil - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonFouad Fouad - Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, SyriaFadi Hammal - Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, CanadaYara Jarallah - Egyptian Smoking Prevention Research Institute, EgyptHala Abu Farhat - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, LebanonMaha Ayad - Sociology Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, Brown University, RI, United StatesRima Nakkash - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.98, pp.125-134
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.007
- PMID
- 24331890
- NLM abbreviation
- Soc Sci Med
- ISSN
- 0277-9536
- eISSN
- 1873-5347
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- name: International Development Research Centre, Research for International Tobacco Control
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2013
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984063133402771
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