Waterpipe tobacco smoking among university students in the Western Cape Province of South Africa : differences and similarities to cigarette smoking
Master Thesis
2014
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University of Cape Town
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The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rates of current and ever waterpipe use and investigate the associated correlates, paying particular attention to the perceptions and beliefs about waterpipe’s adverse health effects as well as its social acceptability. In addition the study aimed to compare the results with the prevalence rates of current and ever cigarette use among the same study group. An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was administered via email to all students at the four universities within the Western Cape Province of South Africa during September 2013. 4578 students completed the survey (4.3% response rate). 10.6% [n= 484] of the sample were current waterpipe users while 67.1% [n= 3101] were ever users of waterpipe. 61.1% of current smokers smoked waterpipe to socialise with less than 1% of smokers smoking alone. The majority of waterpipe smokers thought waterpipe use was less harmful, less addictive and more accessible than cigarette smoking. 96.1% [n= 465] of current users felt waterpipe was socially acceptable compared to only 69.9% [n= 1862] of non-smokers. Factors significantly associated with increased odds of being a current smoker were: Coloured race, increased quantity of alcoholic drinks drunk per drinking day, increased frequency of binge drinking and the perception that waterpipe was not difficult to quit. Alcohol consumption patterns apart from problem drinking were associated with waterpipe use. More than half of current waterpipe smokers were not current cigarette smokers [n= 273/484]. Waterpipe smoking is more socially acceptable and therefore more widespread among students in all faculties, genders, ages, physical activity levels and economic brackets than cigarette smoking. This is likely a result of the lack of knowledge about the health risks of waterpipe, the taste of the flavoured sweetened tobacco, and the perception that waterpipe is socially acceptable. While there is overlap between current cigarette and waterpipe users, waterpipe users are distinct from cigarette users. Therefore policy aimed at cessation needs to be targeted towards all students, using a two-pronged approach focusing on the knowledge and beliefs of students and the legislative aspect of waterpipe tobacco.
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Kruger, L. 2014. Waterpipe tobacco smoking among university students in the Western Cape Province of South Africa : differences and similarities to cigarette smoking. University of Cape Town.