Is hookah use associated with specific thoughts and feelings regarding emerging adulthood for young adults? In an effort to identify the risk and protective factors for hookah use, a recent study investigated this question by determining which transition-to-adulthood themes associated with this behavior. Study participants included college students in Southern California (n=555; mean age 22yo) that completed online surveys on transition-to-adulthood themes, as well as past-month hookah and cigarette use. Results indicated that past-month hookah use (16%) was slightly higher than past-month cigarette use (12%). Hookah use, but not cigarette use, associated with one transition-to-adulthood theme—participants that felt emerging adulthood was a time of experimentation reported higher hookah use.
Take Away: this study suggests that some college students may associate hookah use with specific transition-to-adulthood themes. As such, prevention specialists educating college students on this tobacco-related behavior may consider discussing this factor in their prevention programs.