Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study
Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is becoming increasingly popular in the West among young people. Given the associated health risks of this behaviour, we aimed to investigate why young adults take up waterpipe tobacco smoking and their attitudes to the associated risks. Methods: This was a qual...
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doaj-6c497a32bd9f462c87de855b2450847d2020-12-11T00:02:31ZengMDPI AGDentistry Journal2304-67672020-12-01813413410.3390/dj8040134Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological StudyAmraj. Z. Dhillon0Tim Doran1Vishal. R. Aggarwal2Heart Centre, The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UKDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKSchool of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9JT, UKBackground: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is becoming increasingly popular in the West among young people. Given the associated health risks of this behaviour, we aimed to investigate why young adults take up waterpipe tobacco smoking and their attitudes to the associated risks. Methods: This was a qualitative study, with a phenomenological perspective. Focus groups and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted among waterpipe smokers aged 20–30 years living in London, UK. Transcripts were analysed using constant comparison and cycling between the data and analysis. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Results: Sixteen smokers attended focus groups and face-to-face interviews. Seven main themes emerged encompassing four main dimensions relating to: lack of knowledge, perceived risk, affordability, and social addiction. Waterpipe was perceived to be safer than cigarette smoking due to the pleasant odour, fruity flavours, and belief that water filtered the toxins. The waterpipe had become a “social addiction” enhancing group atmosphere, was cheap and did not have the dangers of violence or hallucinations associated with other addictions like alcohol and drugs. Because of their intermittent smoking patterns and the lack of statutory warnings, none felt they were not at risk of any adverse side effects. Conclusions: Waterpipe smoking is a growing public health problem; the social environment associated with its use is perceived to be a positive outlet by smokers who do not consider it harmful to their health. These perceptions need to be addressed urgently by anti-smoking policies.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/8/4/134waterpipetobaccosmokingqualitativeyoung adultsperceptions |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Amraj. Z. Dhillon Tim Doran Vishal. R. Aggarwal |
spellingShingle |
Amraj. Z. Dhillon Tim Doran Vishal. R. Aggarwal Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study Dentistry Journal waterpipe tobacco smoking qualitative young adults perceptions |
author_facet |
Amraj. Z. Dhillon Tim Doran Vishal. R. Aggarwal |
author_sort |
Amraj. Z. Dhillon |
title |
Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study |
title_short |
Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study |
title_full |
Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study |
title_fullStr |
Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Perceptions of Waterpipe Smoking among Young Adults: A Phenomenological Study |
title_sort |
perceptions of waterpipe smoking among young adults: a phenomenological study |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Dentistry Journal |
issn |
2304-6767 |
publishDate |
2020-12-01 |
description |
Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is becoming increasingly popular in the West among young people. Given the associated health risks of this behaviour, we aimed to investigate why young adults take up waterpipe tobacco smoking and their attitudes to the associated risks. Methods: This was a qualitative study, with a phenomenological perspective. Focus groups and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted among waterpipe smokers aged 20–30 years living in London, UK. Transcripts were analysed using constant comparison and cycling between the data and analysis. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Results: Sixteen smokers attended focus groups and face-to-face interviews. Seven main themes emerged encompassing four main dimensions relating to: lack of knowledge, perceived risk, affordability, and social addiction. Waterpipe was perceived to be safer than cigarette smoking due to the pleasant odour, fruity flavours, and belief that water filtered the toxins. The waterpipe had become a “social addiction” enhancing group atmosphere, was cheap and did not have the dangers of violence or hallucinations associated with other addictions like alcohol and drugs. Because of their intermittent smoking patterns and the lack of statutory warnings, none felt they were not at risk of any adverse side effects. Conclusions: Waterpipe smoking is a growing public health problem; the social environment associated with its use is perceived to be a positive outlet by smokers who do not consider it harmful to their health. These perceptions need to be addressed urgently by anti-smoking policies. |
topic |
waterpipe tobacco smoking qualitative young adults perceptions |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/8/4/134 |
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