24th Annual Student Research Conference
Hookah Smoking Behavior and Attitudes among Truman Students
Megan R. Cooper*, Aubrey A. Crowley, Taylor R. McWilliams, Stefanie Rademacher, and Molly A. Jones
Dr. Roberta Donahue, Faculty Mentor
Despite evidence about the health risks of hookah smoking and its increase in popularity in the U.S., little is known about users knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding hookah smoking. A convenience sample of students at Truman State University (n=372) were surveyed. Thirty percent reported having smoked a hookah pipe at least once. Common characteristics of those who smoked were occasional smoking with friends, often at a friends house, outdoors, or at a hookah bar. Smokers cited socializing (72.8%) and enjoying the flavor (51.9%) as primary reasons for hookah use. On average, students ranked cigarettes as being more dangerous than hookah smoking, although the majority knew that carcinogens were present (75.3%) and hookah smoking is potentially addictive (69.1). These results suggest that the perception of hookah as a safe alternative to cigarettes and the social aspect of smoking hookah are possible factors in its prevalence.
Keywords: Hookah, Smoking, Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, Behaviors
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 6-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 8:15