Waterpipe smoking: Results from a population-based study in Qatar.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking is common in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and is becoming more prevalent in Qatar. To better plan waterpipe smoking control strategies we aimed to: 1) determine the prevalence of waterpipe smoking and explore its patterns in Qatar; 2) describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to smoking behaviors; 3) recognize locations of waterpipe smoking and symptoms experienced during waterpipe sessions; and 4) evaluate the frequency of waterpipe smoking and the initiation age.
Methods: We analyzed the data of a 7921 population-based survey of adults aged ≥18 years (nationals and expatriates), conducted in Qatar between March and December 2019. Out of 7105 surveys collected, 6904 were complete and included in the analysis.
Results: Of the 6904, 570 (8.3%; 95% CI: 7.7-9.0) were waterpipe tobacco smokers, 425 (10.6%) males and 145 (5.1%) females. The highest prevalence of waterpipe smoking was reported among people aged 18-24 years (10.6%). Of the 575 waterpipe smokers, 56.3% (n=324) were exclusive waterpipe smokers. Use of other tobacco products among waterpipe smokers was higher among Qataris (52.3%) than expatriates (37.7%). Waterpipe cafés were the most common location for waterpipe smoking, however, females preferred restaurants; 83.3% reported that waterpipe smoking is harmful, while 39.3% considered that it is less harmful than cigarette smoking.
Conclusions: Waterpipe smoking prevalence is considerably high in Qatar, the second form of tobacco used. The formulation of new policies and enforcement of regulatory restrictions on waterpipe smoking are essential to reduce its uptake. Expansion in tobacco cessation services for women and poly-tobacco users is needed.
Competing Interests: The authors have each completed and submitted an ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. The authors declare that they have no competing interests, financial or otherwise, related to the current work. A. AlMulla and S. Kouyoumjian, report that since the initial planning of the work this research was supported by the Medical Research Center in Hamad Medical Corporation Doha-Qatar (MRC-Routine grant 01-17-073). Open Access publication funding was provided by the Qatar National Library.
(© 2022 AlMulla A. et al.)