Water pipe smoking among the young: the rebirth of an old tradition

Bacterial communities of hookah tobacco products are diverse and differ across brands and flavors

Abstract

Young adults are increasingly using non-cigarette products, such as hookahs, since they are perceived as healthier alternatives to cigarette smoking. However, hookah users are exposed to not only carcinogenic compounds but also microorganisms that may play an active role in the development of both infectious and chronic diseases among users. Nevertheless, existing hookah research in this area has focused only on microorganisms that may be transferred to users through the smoking apparatus and not on bacterial communities associated with hookah tobacco. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted time-series experiments on commercially available hookah brands (Al Fakher (flavors: two apple, mint, and watermelon) and Fumari (flavors: white gummy bear, ambrosia, and mint chocolate chill)) stored under three different temperature and relative humidity conditions over 14 days. To characterize bacterial communities, the total DNA was extracted on days 0, 5, 9, and 14, PCR-amplified for the V3V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform, and analyzed using R. Diversity (alpha and beta) analyses revealed that the microbiotas of Fumari and Al Fakher products differed significantly and that flavor had a significant effect on the hookah microbiota. Overall, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Methylobacterium were the predominant bacterial taxa across all products. Additionally, we observed compositional differences between hookah brands across the 14-day incubation. These data suggest that the bacterial communities of hookah tobacco are diverse and differ across brands and flavors, which may have critical implications regarding exposures to specific bacteria among hookah users.

Key points

• Commercial hookah products harbor diverse bacterial communities.

• Brands and flavors impact the diversity of these communities.

• Research on their viability and transmission to users’ respiratory tracts is needed.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-12079-7.

Hookah Smoking among Brazilian University Students: An Exploratory Survey on the Prevalence and Perceptions of Addiction and its Harmfulness

Background

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of hookah use in a population of undergraduate students at a large public university in Brazil.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1348 undergraduate students aged over 18-year-old. They completed structured questionnaires on demographic information and close-ended questions on the past and current experiences of smoking hookah. The data underwent descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression.

Findings

Finally, 1298 valid survey forms were obtained from printed and digital questionnaires. More than half (53.9%) of participants reported having tried hookah at least once, however, only 10.8% reported they had experienced it within the last 30 days. The majority of the studied population presented acceptable beliefs about the harmfulness and addictive capacity of hookah smoking. However, when comparing the perceptions of those who had smoked and those who had never smoked hookah, and also, the perceptions of users and non-users, significant differences were observed. Students who were users or had already tried hookah showed a tendency to underestimate the deleterious effects of this type of smoking.

Conclusion

It could be concluded that hookah smoking was common among Brazilian university students. In addition, preoccupying misperceptions of hookah's harmfulness and addictive capacity were found. The results showed that the epidemic of hookah smoking, especially among young people, has spread far beyond the Arab world and the Persians. Accordingly, preventive measures must be taken if this population is to be protected from addiction and other serious health problems.

Maternal waterpipe tobacco smoke exposure during lactation induces hormonal and biochemical changes in rat dams and offspring

Waterpipe smoking is common among pregnant and breastfeeding women. Herein, the effects of waterpipe tobacco smoke (WTS) exposure during lactation on milk composition, hormonal levels and biochemical profile in dams and pups were investigated. Lactating Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive either WTS (2 hours per day) or fresh air (control group). Milk was collected on day 21 and analysed for protein, lactose and total fat. Blood, from dams and pups, was analysed for insulin, glucose, lipid profile, leptin, prolactin and corticosterone. WTS exposure during lactation increased the blood level of HDL and corticosterone in dams (P < .05). However, the level of milk lactose and blood glucose was reduced in dams after the exposure to WTS during lactation (P < .05). WTS during lactation significantly increased levels of triglycerides, LDL and leptin (P < .05), and a trend of increase in blood level of nicotine and prolactin in pups. Levels of other parameters were not affected by WTS exposure in dams and pups. In conclusion, WTS exposure during lactation altered the milk composition and altered lipid profile, glucose homeostasis and hormonal levels in dams and pups. It is necessary to adopt strategies to enhance tobacco cessation during breastfeeding.

Health Effects Reported by Adolescent Water Pipe and/or Cigarette Smokers Compared to Nonsmokers

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory and/or physical fitness health problems in adolescent (ages 18-21) water pipe (WP) smokers (with or without cigarette smoking), cigarette-only smokers, and nonsmokers.

METHODS

A comparative four-group study design was used to recruit a non-probability sample of 153 WP smokers only, 103 cigarette smokers only, and 102 cigarette+WP smokers along with 296 nonsmokers. Our hypothesis was that youth who smoked WPs and/or cigarettes would report more respiratory problems and/or poorer physical fitness than those who did not smoke.

RESULTS

The results showed that coughs were significantly associated with smoking in all three of the smoking groups (p < .05). Cigarette-only smokers reported the most adverse outcomes with more wheezing, difficulty breathing, and less ability to exercise without shortness of breath. A dose-response analysis showed similar patterns of adverse health effects for both WP and cigarette smokers. The combined use of both products was not appreciably worse than smoking one product alone. This could be due to cigarette+WP smokers' reporting using less of the respective products when only one product was smoked.

CONCLUSIONS

Even during the adolescent years, WP and/or cigarette smoking youth experienced reportable negative health effects.

The changing tobacco landscape: What dental professionals need to know

BACKGROUND

Tobacco products in the United States and the patterns of tobacco use are changing. Although cigarette smoking prevalence has declined, dental professionals are likely to encounter substantial numbers of patients who have tried and are continuing to use new and alternative tobacco products, including cigars, water pipes (hookahs), and electronic cigarettes, as well as conventional and new smokeless tobacco products.

METHODS

The authors reviewed conventional and new tobacco products in the United States, their adverse oral and systemic health effects, and their prevalence of use.

RESULTS

Tobacco products other than cigarettes account for a substantial portion of tobacco use. For this reason, tobacco-use prevention and cessation counseling provided by dental health care professionals must address all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, water pipes, and electronic cigarettes, as well as conventional and new smokeless tobacco products. Cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use are associated with immediate and long-term adverse health effects, including nicotine addiction, oral and systemic disease, and death. Novel products may attract new tobacco users, potentially leading to addiction that results in enduring tobacco product use and associated adverse health effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This critical review of conventional, new, and emerging tobacco products presents information that dental professionals can use in providing tobacco-related counseling to patients who use or who are at risk for using tobacco products.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

It is essential that dental professionals are knowledgeable about tobacco products and are able to answer patients' questions and provide them with evidence-based tobacco-related counseling. This information may prevent patients from initiating use or help reduce or cease use to avoid immediate and long-term adverse health effects, including nicotine addiction, oral and systemic disease, and death.

Cigarette smoking susceptibility among youth alternate tobacco product users: implications of flavoured tobacco from a national cross-sectional Canadian sample (YSS 2012/2013)

OBJECTIVES

Declines in cigarette smoking have been accompanied by increases in alternative tobacco product (ATP) use, particularly among youth. This study examines smoking susceptibility and ATP use in a national sample of Canadian youth.

METHODS

Data from grades 9-12 students who participated in the 2012/2013 Youth Smoking Survey, a nationally generalisable sample of Canadian students (n=27,404) were used to examine cigarette smoking susceptibility among never smokers (n=17,396). Logistic regression models were used to examine differences in smoking susceptibility by use of flavoured and all ATPs and by sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 30% of Canadian grades 9-12 never smokers were susceptible to cigarette smoking. Compared to never users, those who had ever tried ATPs (OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.42) and those who had ever tried flavoured ATPs (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.96) had significantly higher odds of being susceptible to cigarette smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

ATP use is associated with smoking susceptibility among youth never smokers. Findings from this study, along with existing evidence, can be used by policymakers to improve regulation around youth access to ATPs (particularly flavoured varieties).

Hookah use prevalence, predictors, and perceptions among Canadian youth: findings from the 2012/2013 Youth Smoking Survey

PURPOSE

Few national surveys currently assess hookah smoking among youth. This study describes the prevalence, patterns of use, and perceptions about hookah in a nationally representative survey of Canadian grades 9-12 students.

METHODS

The Youth Smoking Survey 2012/2013 was administered to 27,404 Canadian grades 9-12 students attending schools in nine Canadian provinces representing 96 % of Canadian population. Relevant dichotomous outcomes included ever use, use in the last 30 days, and the belief that hookah use is less harmful than cigarette smoking. Covariates included smoking status, sex, grade, province of residence, race/ethnicity, and amount of weekly spending money. Logistic regression models were used to examine: covariates related to the odds of ever and last-30-day hookah use; covariates related to perceptions about the harms of hookah smoking; the extent to which perceptions were associated with odds of hookah use; and whether survey year (2010/2011 or 2012/2013) was associated with hookah use, and marginal effects were calculated.

RESULTS

In Canada, 5.4 % of students in grades 9-12 currently use hookah and 14.3 % report ever using hookah. In 2012/2013, students had significantly higher odds of using hookah compared to students in 2010/2011 (OR 1.5, 95 % CI 1.2, 2.1). About half of hookah users (51 %) used flavored hookah. Students who believed that hookah use was less harmful than cigarette smoking had significantly higher odds of current hookah use (OR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.9, 3.5), as did students who reported higher amounts of weekly spending money. Current smokers had an 18 % higher predicted probability of currently using hookah compared to non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Hookah use among youth is of growing concern in Canada. Findings can be used to inform policy development related to youth hookah smoking.

Challenges to obtaining parental permission for child participation in a school-based waterpipe tobacco smoking prevention intervention in Qatar

BACKGROUND

Involving children in research studies requires obtaining parental permission. A school-based intervention to delay/prevent waterpipe use for 7th and 8th graders in Qatar was developed, and parental permission requested. Fifty three percent (2308/4314) of the parents returned permission forms; of those 19.5% of the total (840/4314) granted permission. This paper describes the challenges to obtaining parental permission. No research to date has described such challenges in the Arab world.

METHODS

A random sample of 40 schools in Doha, Qatar was selected for inclusion in the original intervention. Permission forms were distributed to parents for approval of their child's participation. The permission forms requested that parents indicate their reasons for non-permission if they declined. These were categorized into themes. In order to understand reasons for non-permission, interviews with parents were conducted. Phone numbers of parents were requested from the school administration; 12 of the 40 schools (30%) agreed to provide the contact information. A random sample of 28 parents from 12 schools was interviewed to reach data saturation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze their responses.

RESULTS

Reasons for non-permission documented in both the forms and interviews included: poor timing; lack of interest; the child not wanting to participate; and the child living in a smoke-free environment. Interviews provided information on important topics to include in the consent forms, parents' decision-making processes regarding their child's participation, and considerations for communicating with parents. Many parents also indicated that this was the first time they had been asked to give an informed consent for their child's participation in a study.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that more attention needs to be given to the informed parental consent process. Researchers should consider enhancing both the methods of communicating information as well the specific information provided. Before embarking on recruitment of children for studies, formative research on the parental consent process is suggested.

Using twitter to examine smoking behavior and perceptions of emerging tobacco products

BACKGROUND

Social media platforms such as Twitter are rapidly becoming key resources for public health surveillance applications, yet little is known about Twitter users' levels of informedness and sentiment toward tobacco, especially with regard to the emerging tobacco control challenges posed by hookah and electronic cigarettes.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a content and sentiment analysis of tobacco-related Twitter posts and build machine learning classifiers to detect tobacco-relevant posts and sentiment towards tobacco, with a particular focus on new and emerging products like hookah and electronic cigarettes.

METHODS

We collected 7362 tobacco-related Twitter posts at 15-day intervals from December 2011 to July 2012. Each tweet was manually classified using a triaxial scheme, capturing genre, theme, and sentiment. Using the collected data, machine-learning classifiers were trained to detect tobacco-related vs irrelevant tweets as well as positive vs negative sentiment, using Naïve Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms. Finally, phi contingency coefficients were computed between each of the categories to discover emergent patterns.

RESULTS

The most prevalent genres were first- and second-hand experience and opinion, and the most frequent themes were hookah, cessation, and pleasure. Sentiment toward tobacco was overall more positive (1939/4215, 46% of tweets) than negative (1349/4215, 32%) or neutral among tweets mentioning it, even excluding the 9% of tweets categorized as marketing. Three separate metrics converged to support an emergent distinction between, on one hand, hookah and electronic cigarettes corresponding to positive sentiment, and on the other hand, traditional tobacco products and more general references corresponding to negative sentiment. These metrics included correlations between categories in the annotation scheme (phihookah-positive=0.39; phi(e-cigs)-positive=0.19); correlations between search keywords and sentiment (χ²₄=414.50, P<.001, Cramer's V=0.36), and the most discriminating unigram features for positive and negative sentiment ranked by log odds ratio in the machine learning component of the study. In the automated classification tasks, SVMs using a relatively small number of unigram features (500) achieved best performance in discriminating tobacco-related from unrelated tweets (F score=0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Novel insights available through Twitter for tobacco surveillance are attested through the high prevalence of positive sentiment. This positive sentiment is correlated in complex ways with social image, personal experience, and recently popular products such as hookah and electronic cigarettes. Several apparent perceptual disconnects between these products and their health effects suggest opportunities for tobacco control education. Finally, machine classification of tobacco-related posts shows a promising edge over strictly keyword-based approaches, yielding an improved signal-to-noise ratio in Twitter data and paving the way for automated tobacco surveillance applications.