Unconventional materials and substances used in water pipe (narghile) by smokers in central western region of Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Ashraf S. Baboor, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawara, PO Box 344, Postal Code 30001, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. deoaah{at}yahoo.com
• Ahmad A. Alnazzawi, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawara, PO Box 344, Postal Code 30001, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. deoaah{at}yahoo.com
• Osama A. Abu-Hammad, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawara, PO Box 344, Postal Code 30001, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. deoaah{at}yahoo.com
• Najla S. Dar-Odeh, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawara, PO Box 344, Postal Code 30001, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. deoaah{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of unconventional substances and materials in water pipe among café water pipe smokers. METHODS: This was a questionnaire-based survey among subjects attending coffee shops in the region of Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia between February and March 2013. RESULTS: We invited 110 subjects, only 90 consented to participate in the study. A percentage of 1.1% used fluids other than water in the water pipe tank, 18.9% added other soft drinks to the tank, and 7.8% added flowers, spices or drugs to the tobacco mix placed in the head of the water pipe. A proportion of participants used fruits to replace the water pipe head (12.2%), or to replace water pipe tank (4.4%). Higher number of children the smokers had and cafe smoking were all significantly associated with unconventional practices. CONCLUSION: A substantial percentage of sample of water pipe smokers in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia use unusual materials and/or substances in the water pipe and this is probably encouraged by cafe smoking.

Article Type

Brief Report

First Page

890

Last Page

893

Recommended Citation

Baboor, Ashraf S.; Alnazzawi, Ahmad A.; Abu-Hammad, Osama A.; and Dar-Odeh, Najla S. (2014) "Unconventional materials and substances used in water pipe (narghile) by smokers in central western region of Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 35: Iss. 8, Article 22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.6020