Journal article
‘When I smoked it, it was like a slap in the face but it felt really good’: exploring determinants of midwakh use among young adults in Lebanon
Tobacco control, Vol.30(3), pp.351-355
05/2021
DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055529
PMID: 32269174
Abstract
BackgroundDokha (‘dizziness’ in English) is a type of alternative tobacco product (ATP) increasing in popularity in the Arab world; and smoked in a pipe called a midwakh. Midwakh use is common among nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); yet, evidence indicates its spread among expats in the UAE as well as beyond the UAE. Research on midwakh use is nascent, and no qualitative research has been published. This paper explored the context and determinants of midwakh use among young adults in Lebanon using qualitative methods.MethodsWe conducted four focus group discussions with 18 midwakh ever smokers aged 18–25 years in Lebanon. Discussions were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using the Pragmatics, Attraction, Communication, Expectations framework.Results‘Pragmatics’ was evident in participants’ comments about availability of a supply of dokha. For ‘attraction’, participants described why they prefer midwakh smoking and compared it to other ATPs. Regarding communication, participants shared terms used to describe their use of midwakh (eg, ‘buzz’/taking a hit). Participants also described expectations from smoking midwakh, including stress relief.ConclusionMidwakh smoking is appealing to young adults due to factors such as the ‘buzz’, perceived harm reduction, stress relief and its ability to satisfy nicotine craving with small amounts of tobacco. As a result, despite experiencing negative effects on first use, young adults choose to continue to use midwakh, and find it hard to quit. These results have implications for prevention and control of midwakh smoking among young adults. Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidance documents to address ATPs are critically needed to prevent the global spread of yet another tobacco product.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- ‘When I smoked it, it was like a slap in the face but it felt really good’: exploring determinants of midwakh use among young adults in Lebanon
- Creators
- Rima T Nakkash - Health Promotion and Community Health Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonNoor El Boukhari - Health Promotion and Community Health Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonRima A Afifi - Community and Behavioral Health Department, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Tobacco control, Vol.30(3), pp.351-355
- DOI
- 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055529
- PMID
- 32269174
- NLM abbreviation
- Tob Control
- ISSN
- 0964-4563
- eISSN
- 1468-3318
- Grant note
- name: Universty of Iowa College of Public Health, award: no number
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2021
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984214819002771
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