The popularity of hookah use among young adults has increased over the past several years. Hookah use poses a unique risk in that typical sessions last over 30 minutes and expose users to high levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. The current study surveys freshman college students to look at changes in hookah-related behaviors to determine predictors among those at risk.

The study began with participants completing a baseline survey before campus move-in day followed by four more surveys throughout the school year. Measures included hookah use, addiction and respiratory symptoms, susceptibility to future hookah use, knowledge about hookah, risk perceptions, other tobacco use, other substance use, personality characteristics and social risk factors, and demographic characteristics. Analysis was done to look at transitions to susceptibility among never-users, initiation of use among never-users, and continued hookah use among baseline ever-users.

Average age of participants was found to be 18.6 years with a total of 529 students included. Results showed that 223 students reported no susceptibility at baseline along with no hookah use at any collection period. 10% of students that originally reported peer using hookah initiation use over their freshman year. Researchers discovered three predictors of this use which included greater knowledge about hookah, higher prevalence of hookah use in peer group, and higher susceptibility to future use. 13.2% of students reported using hookah at baseline with half of them reporting hookah as their first tobacco product. Being from a rural area of the state was found to be a major risk factor for hookah use. These findings show some of the trajectory of hookah use and how susceptibility plays a role.

Take Away: With popularity of hookah use among young adults increasing, the current study looks at changes in hookah-related behaviors to determine predictors among those students at risk. The study included four surveys throughout the student’s freshman year. Measures included hookah use and variables surrounding use, other substance use, personality characteristics, and demographics. Average age of participants was found to be 18.6 years with a total of 529 students included. Results showed that 223 students reported no susceptibility at baseline along with no hookah use at any collection period. Researchers discovered three predictors of use; greater knowledge about hookah, higher prevalence of hookah use in peer group, and higher susceptibility to future use. Being from a rural area of the state was found to be a major risk factor for hookah use. These findings show some of the trajectory of hookah use and how susceptibility plays a role.

Roberts, M. E., & Ferketich, A. K. (2020). Hookah Susceptibility and Transitions Over the First Year of College. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 81(2), 195-202. doi:10.15288/jsad.2020.81.195