Shisha smoking prevalence, predictors and attitudes amongst a British Asian community in London
| Author(s)
Mohammed Jawad and Mohsin Asharia
| | Presenter(s) |
Dr Mohammed Jawad Honorary Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London | Abstract Introduction
Whilst cigarette smoking prevalence is plateauing, shisha smoking, an unregulated tobacco product, is increasing worldwide. There is a dearth of UK-based adult shisha prevalence data. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, attitudes and predictors of shisha smoking in a small, ethnic community in London.
Method
We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional survey among an Indian, south London mosque. The questionnaire asked about smoking habits, beliefs, intentions, cigarette use and sociodemographic data.
Results
Of 95 attendees, 63.0% were male, 33.7% were aged 22-29 years and 68.1% had never tried a cigarette. 18.9% smoked shisha at least monthly, but 70.0% had tried it. The most popular smoking locations were cafes (29.2%) and at home (18.5%). 94% of ever users smoked in a group, and 31.9% felt it was less harmful than cigarette smoking. 40.9% intended to smoke in the future, but 13.0% would encourage others to do so. Those under 30 years old and with reduced harm perception were more likely to have tried shisha, and males were more likely to be monthly users.
Conclusions
Shisha smoking is highly prevalent in this ethnic group. Intervention should focus on health awareness by involving community leaders and incorporation of shisha smoking into professional cigarette cessation programs. Further research is needed to identify the prevalence and trends of shisha smoking in other communities.
| Presenter biography Dr Mohammed Jawad graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine and is currently on the Academic Foundation Programme for junior doctors in the West Midlands. He is also an honorary Clinical Research Fellow at Imperial College School of Public Health, where his main research interest is waterpipe tobacco smoking (shisha). He has published several research articles and reviews on shisha smoking in peer-reviewed journals.
| Source of funding: This research received no specific funding.
| Declaration of interest: None
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