One in five deaths per year in the United States is caused by tobacco smoking. In recent years, waterpipe tobacco (WPT) smoking, also known as hookah, has become increasingly popular among young people. WPT contains the same carcinogens and toxins as cigarettes that can lead to lung cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease. However, rates of successful quitting of WPT smoking have been low which may be due to a lower levels of nicotine dependence, use of flavored tobacco, and social/intermittent use. Due to these factors developing effective smoking cessation programs for WPT use has been difficult. This study examines the prevalence and predictors of WPT smoking cessation among young adults.
The study’s sample consisted of 561 young adults age 18-24 who participated in the PATH study from 2013 to 2019. Participants were asked to report WPT use in the past 30 days and past 12 months during 5 waves of the study. Respondents were also asked to report use of any other tobacco products in the past 30 days. WPT smoking cessation was defined as exclusive past 30-day use of WPT at waves 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 and no use (past 12-month use) in subsequent wave/s. Data was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression models.
Results of the data analysis showed that between waves 1 and 5, 25.13% of exclusive WPT smokers quit smoking. Participants that identified as Hispanic had the highest rate of WPT smoking cessation. Factors that increased likelihood of WPT smoking cessation included regretting smoking WPT, home smoking restrictions, and living in the Midwest geographical region. On the other hand, alcohol use decreased the likelihood of WPT smoking cessation.
Takeaway: Regretting smoking , home smoking restrictions, and living in the Midwest may increase likelihood of waterpipe tobacco smoking cessation among young adults while alcohol use may decrease likelihood of smoking cessation.