Source
School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Ontario, Canada. htamim@yorku.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the prevalence and predictors of smoking nargileh and/or cigarettes among school students in Greater Beirut, Lebanon.
METHODS:
A proportionate random sample of 2443 students from 13 public and private schools was selected and asked to complete self-administered anonymous questionnaires.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of smoking cigarettes only, nargileh only, and both was 2.5%, 25.6%, and 6.3%, respectively. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that the predictors of smoking for either type are different, whereby nargileh smoking is more culturally accepted than cigarette smoking.
CONCLUSIONS:
Design interventions to increase awareness towards the hazards of the misconceived harmless effects of nargileh smoking.