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Jebai R, Asfar T, Cano MÁ, Nakkash R, Schmidt M, Wu W, Bursac Z, Maziak W. Effects of Pictorial Health Warning Labels on Intention to Quit Waterpipe in Lebanon: A Mediation Analysis. Nicotine Tob Res 2024; 26:764-770. [PMID: 37952202 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on waterpipe (WP) tobacco packages represent a better strategy for communicating the health risks associated with WP use and promoting quit intention than text-only. However, the mechanism by which these warnings lead to higher intentions to quit remains unknown. AIMS AND METHODS This study explores how pictorial warnings versus text-only induces higher quit intention among a sample of young adult WP smokers in Lebanon. An online randomized cross-over experimental study was conducted in August 2021 among 276 young adult WP smokers who were exposed to two conditions: pictorial HWLs and text-only warnings on WP tobacco packages in random order. After each image, participants completed post-exposure assessments of health communication outcomes (eg, attention and negative affect). Using serial and parallel mediation analysis, we examined the role of attention, negative affect, cognitive elaboration, and perceived harm in mediating the relationship between exposure to HWLs and intention to quit. RESULTS Using serial mediation, exposure to pictorial warnings versus text-only was found to affect intention to quit through the following pathways: attention and negative affect, which accounted for 17.28% of the total effect, and through negative affect and cognitive elaboration, which accounted for 21.53% of the total effect. Results of parallel mediation showed that the indirect effect pathways via negative affect (β = 0.063; [95% bootstrap CI = 0.004 to 0.149]) and cognitive elaboration (0.047; [0.001 to 0.114]) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The findings call on designing and implementing attention-grabbing, emotionally evocative, and cognitively persuasive pictorial warnings in Lebanon and other countries to curb WP tobacco smoking. IMPLICATIONS This is among the first experimental studies looking at multiple mediators underlying the effect of exposure to pictorial HWLs on intention to quit in a sample of current WP smokers in Lebanon. The findings showed that using attention-grabbing, emotionally evocative, and persuasive pictures with a clear textual warning is crucial to maximizing the impact of implementing WP-HWLs regulations in Lebanon and other countries to curb WP tobacco smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rime Jebai
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Taghrid Asfar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Miguel Ángel Cano
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rima Nakkash
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Michael Schmidt
- School of Public Health and Department of Art, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wensong Wu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zoran Bursac
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Wasim Maziak
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
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Malaeb D, Hassan BAR, Mohammed AH, Farhan SS, Al-Ani OA, Sarray El Dine A, Fekih-Romdhane F, Obeid S, Hallit S. Association between textual and pictorial warnings on tumbac (waterpipe tobacco) boxes and motivation to quit waterpipe smoking among Lebanese and Iraqi adolescents. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:169. [PMID: 38459469 PMCID: PMC10921803 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04649-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Waterpipe tobacco smoking has increased tremendously at a global level among all age groups, particularly young people. Previous studies have examined the impact of waterpipe tobacco pictorial health warnings on adults but scarce studies were done on adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the association of textual versus pictorial warnings on tumbac boxes and the motivation to quit waterpipe smoking among adolescents located in two Eastern Mediterranean countries Lebanon and Iraq. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and November 2022, involving 294 adolescents waterpipe smokers from Lebanon and Iraq. The questionnaire included the Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Smoking-11, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Waterpipe Harm Perception Scale, Waterpipe Knowledge Scale, Waterpipe Attitude Scale, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the Motivation to Stop Scale. RESULTS When adjusting the results over confounding variables, the results showed that compared to finding the warnings to stop smoking not efficacious at all, adolescents who find the warnings moderately (aOR = 2.83) and very (aOR = 6.64) efficacious had higher motivation to quit. Compared to finding the warnings not increasing their curiosity for information about how to stop waterpipe smoking at all, participants who confessed that warnings increased their curiosity a little (aOR = 2.59), moderately (aOR = 3.34) and very (aOR = 3.58) had higher motivation to quit. Compared to not considering changing the tumbac brand if the company uses pictorial warnings, adolescents who would consider changing the tumbac brand (aOR = 2.15) had higher motivation to quit. CONCLUSION Pictorial and textual warnings on waterpipe packs were associated with higher motivation to stop waterpipe smoking. Public health education programs for this purpose seem warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Ali Haider Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al Rafidain University College, Baghdad, Iraq
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Sinan Subhi Farhan
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Medical Science Technology, University of Mashreq, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | | | - Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
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Jebai R, Asfar T, Nakkash R, Chehab S, Wu W, Bursac Z, Maziak W. Impact of pictorial health warning labels on smoking beliefs and perceptions among waterpipe smokers: an online randomised cross-over experimental study. Tob Control 2023; 32:715-722. [PMID: 35444030 PMCID: PMC9582042 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) has substantially increased among young people in Lebanon, who perceive WTS as safer than cigarettes. Health warning labels (HWLs) can inform the adverse effects associated with smoking. Thus, their application to waterpipe offers a favourable policy to limit WTS epidemic. This study assessed the effectiveness of pictorial HWLs and their placements on waterpipe parts (device, tobacco and charcoal package) on several communication outcomes. METHODS We conducted a randomised cross-over experimental study among 276 waterpipe smokers (aged 18-34) between 13 and 26 August 2021. Participants observed three conditions: pictorial HWLs on tobacco packages, pictorial HWLs on three parts of the waterpipe (device, tobacco and charcoal package) and text only on tobacco package in random order. Participants completed baseline and postexposure assessments evaluating HWL effectiveness on attention, reaction, attitudes and beliefs, perceived effectiveness of HWLs and intention to quit WTS. Planned comparisons using Friedman test followed by pairwise Wilcoxon signed-rank test for multiple comparisons were conducted. RESULTS Compared with text only, pictorial HWLs elicited greater attention (p=0.011), higher cognitive elaboration (p=0.021), perceived message effectiveness (p=0.007), negative affect reactions (p<0.01) and greater psychological reactance (p=0.01). No significant differences were found for most communication outcomes between pictorial HWLs on three parts of the waterpipe compared with tobacco package only. CONCLUSIONS Pictorial HWLs on tobacco package were superior to text only for several communication outcomes. These findings provide strong evidence for potential implementation of pictorial HWLs on waterpipe tobacco packages to increase smokers' awareness of the health effects of WTS and correct false safety perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rime Jebai
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Taghrid Asfar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Rima Nakkash
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Sara Chehab
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wensong Wu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Arts, Sciences & Education, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Zoran Bursac
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Wasim Maziak
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
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Asfar T, Chehab S, Schmidt M, Ward KD, Maziak W, Nakkash R. "Scary and Effective, Definitely Pushes Me to Quit Smoking": Developing Waterpipe Pictorial Health Warnings Targeting Young Adults in Lebanon. Nicotine Tob Res 2022; 24:1458-1468. [PMID: 35196373 PMCID: PMC9356692 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Waterpipe (WP) smoking is the leading tobacco use method among young adults in Lebanon. WP use is harmful, yet misperceptions about its safety exist. Implementing pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on WP products is a promising strategy to correct this misperception. This study aimed to culturally adapt a set of 12 pictorial HWLs recently developed by an international expert panel to young adults in Lebanon. HWLs were grouped into four themes: WP health risks, WP harm to others, WP-specific harms, and WP harm compared to cigarettes. AIMS AND METHODS We conducted nine focus groups among WP smokers and nonsmokers (N = 77; 52% females; age 18-34 years) to explore participants' perceptions of the developed HWLs on attention, reaction (fear, avoidance), effectiveness (harm perception), and improvement (design/content, relatedness). Sessions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Emotionally provocative warnings were perceived as most effective, while symbolic and abstract warnings were found not believable. Warnings depicting visible bodily health effects and harm to babies seemed most promising. Participants were generally skeptical about Theme 4 because it might encourage switching to cigarettes. For cultural adaptation, participants recommended using shorter text with affirmative phrases, increasing the picture's size and improving their quality, adding the WP device picture to enhance HWLs' relatability, and develop testimonial messages that depict real people and stories. CONCLUSIONS Results will provide Lebanon and perhaps other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region with evidence-based HWLs that they can further develop, test, and implement within their specific culture. IMPLICATIONS Results provide Lebanon with evidence-based WP-specific pictorial HWLs that can be further developed and tested. HWLs provoking negative affect, with visible health consequences, and depicting harm to babies are promising. Participants recommended using definitive scientific claims presenting the health risks in numerical form. However, this needs to be balanced against protecting the credibility of HWLs scientifically and legally. Increasing the HWLs size and adding the WP device picture to the HWLs can enhance their relatability. Further research can help address some questions raised by this study, such as the potential of testimonial warnings that depict real people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taghrid Asfar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA,Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Sara Chehab
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Kenneth D Ward
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria,School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wasim Maziak
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria,Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rima Nakkash
- Corresponding Author: Rima Nakkash, DrPH, Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Van Dyck Building, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. Telephone: 961 1 350000 ext. 4667; Fax: 961-1-744470; E-mail:
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Mostafa A, El Houssinie M, Hussein RS. Perceived efficacy of existing waterpipe tobacco warning labels versus novel enhanced generic and waterpipe-specific sets. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255244. [PMID: 34314460 PMCID: PMC8315518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since 2008, Egypt has four existing generic bi-annually rotating warning labels (WLs) on 50% of the waterpipe tobacco packs (WTPs). The Ministry of Health Tobacco Control Unit proposed increasing WL size to 80%, removing colours and flavour imagery from WTPs, and plain packaging to help curb the rising epidemic of waterpipe tobacco smoking. Therefore, we measured the perceived efficacy of existing against novel enhanced (generic and waterpipe-specific) WTP WLs and the associated factors among Egyptian waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS A purposive quota sample of 2014 adults was surveyed in two rounds using face interviews. At each round, participants were randomly shown one of four existing WLs, then one of four novel WLs. Participants rated the perceived efficacy of existing and novel WLs regarding the salience, depth of processing, affective reactions, credibility, relevance, perceived harm and perceived behavioural control. Data were analysed using Generalized Estimating Equations. RESULTS Participants rated novel WTP WLs with higher mean perceived efficacy scores than existing WLs for all measures, although both sets collectively scored modestly (59.7; 95% CI: 58.9-60.5 vs 53.0; 95% CI: 52.1-54.0, respectively; p<0.001). Relative to the existing WTP WLs, novel WLs were particularly able to induce higher salience, affective reactions, and depth of processing. Relative to the generic novel WTP WLs, waterpipe-specific WLs induced higher relevance, perceived harm, and affective reactions. Nonsmokers scored higher than waterpipe tobacco smokers, specifically for perceived behavioral control (65.0±32.5 vs 43.6±19.8, respectively; p<0.001). WTP WLs featuring proximal risks, such as dental effects (β = 9.70; 95% CI: 7.00-12.40), fetal harm (β = 9.42; 95% CI: 6.75-12.10), or toxic contents (β = 9.14; 95% CI: 6.58-11.70) were strongly associated with participants' perceived efficacy scores. Among other independent factors, rural residence (β = 24.09; 95% CI: 22.21-25.97), being a nonsmoker (β = 10.51; 95% CI: 8.92-12.10), survey round 2 (β = 6.96, 95% CI: 5.73-8.19), the novel WTP WL set (β = 6.68; 95% CI: 6.19-7.17), and having higher education (β = 6.31; 95% CI: 4.34-8.27) were highly associated with participants' perceived efficacy scores. CONCLUSIONS Waterpipe-specific WLs on plain WTPs that feature proximal risks and address different population subgroups need to be developed in conjunction with awareness raising campaigns on WTS harms to reinforce the credibility of WTP WLs. Our findings suggest the proposed WTP WL enhancements by the Tobacco Control Unit may support a more effective WTP labelling policy within a comprehensive waterpipe-specific tobacco control framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Mostafa
- Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
- * E-mail:
| | - Moustafa El Houssinie
- Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rasha Saad Hussein
- Department of Community, Environmental, and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Nakkash R, Tleis M, Chehab S, Wensong W, Schmidt M, Ward KD, Maziak W, Asfar T. Novel Insights into Young Adults' Perceived Effectiveness of Waterpipe Tobacco-Specific Pictorial Health Warning Labels in Lebanon: Implications for Tobacco Control Policy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7189. [PMID: 34281125 PMCID: PMC8296856 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the perceived effectiveness of waterpipe (WP) tobacco specific health warning labels (HWLs) among young adult WP smokers and nonsmokers in Lebanon. Before participating in focus group discussions, participants (n = 66; WP smokers n = 30; nonsmokers n = 36; age 18-33) completed a brief survey to rate the effectiveness of 12 HWLs' and rank them according to four risk themes (WP health effects, WP harm to others, WP-specific harm, and WP harm compared to cigarettes). Differences in HWLs ratings by WP smoking status were examined and the top-ranked HWL in each theme were identified. HWLs depicting mouth cancer and harm to babies were rated as the most effective by both WP smokers and non-smokers. WP smokers rated HWLs which depicted harm to children and infants as more effective than non-smokers. The top-ranked HWLs for perceived overall effectiveness were those depicting "oral cancer", "harm to babies", "orally transmitted diseases" and "mouth cancer". HWLs depicting oral lesions and harm to babies were rated as most effective, while HWLs showing the harmful effects of WP secondhand smoke on infants and children were rated as less effective by nonsmokers compared to smokers. Our study provides evidence on the potential effectiveness of HWLs for further evaluation in Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean region. The results will inform and guide the development and implementation of tobacco control policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Nakkash
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1103, Lebanon; (R.N.); (M.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Malak Tleis
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1103, Lebanon; (R.N.); (M.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Sara Chehab
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1103, Lebanon; (R.N.); (M.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Wu Wensong
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
| | - Michael Schmidt
- Department of Art, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Kenneth D. Ward
- School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;
| | - Wasim Maziak
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo 2203, Syria
| | - Taghrid Asfar
- Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo 2203, Syria
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33124, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33124, USA
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Examining the effect of waterpipe specific pictorial health warning labels among young adults in Lebanon and Tunisia: Protocol of a factorial experiment study design. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2021; 23:100797. [PMID: 34235290 PMCID: PMC8249778 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) has increased substantially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), affecting young adults who perceive waterpipe as safer than cigarette smoking. Applying pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on tobacco products has been effective in communicating health risks associated with tobacco smoking. However, there are few experimental studies that examined pictorial HWLs specific to WTS. Methods/design: This report describes the design and protocol of the first factorial experimental study that aims to test the effectiveness of pictorial HWLs based on their placement on waterpipe device, tobacco, and charcoal packages among young adult smokers and non-smokers residing in Lebanon and Tunisia. After completing a baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to 3 experimental conditions in a 3 (HWL: pictorial HWL on tobacco package vs. pictorial HWL on 3 placements [device, tobacco, and charcoal packages] vs. text-only HWL on tobacco package) x 4 (pictorial HWLs) x 2 (waterpipe smokers vs. non-smokers) factorial design. We will use a within/between-subject design, where pictorial HWLs and time (pre vs. post-exposure) are the within-subject factors and waterpipe smoking status as the between-subjects factor. Participants will complete post-exposure measures that include attention, perceived harm, intention to quit (smokers) or initiate smoking (non-smokers). Discussion: This is the first international study examining the placements of pictorial HWLs using efficient within/between subject design. Findings will provide additional evidence to convince policymakers to consider three placements of HWLs specific to WTS as a promising regulatory target to curb WTS.
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Farran D, Khawam G, Nakkash R, Lee J, Abu-Rmeileh N, Darawad MW, Mostafa A, Kheirallah KA, Salama M, Hamadeh RR, Thrasher JF, Salloum RG. Association of health warning labels and motivation to quit waterpipe tobacco smoking among university students in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Tob Prev Cessat 2021; 7:44. [PMID: 34141959 PMCID: PMC8176861 DOI: 10.18332/tpc/134561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine associations between health warning label content and motivation to quit waterpipe smoking by gender and smoking location. METHODS Convenience samples of university students in three Eastern Mediterranean countries – Egypt (n=442), Jordan (n=535) and Palestine (n=487) – completed an online survey assessing health warning labels. Multinomial logit regression models were conducted to determine the association between different variables, particularly gender and smoking location, with motivation to quit. RESULTS In Palestine, female smokers were more motivated to quit waterpipe smoking when seeing textual warning labels related to children (T2) and pregnancy (T6) [T2: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1–2.8), T6: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.6–4.3)] compared to males. Similar results were found in Jordan [T2: 1.6 (95% CI: 1.0–2.6), T6: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1–3.0)]. As for the smoking location, home-only smokers in Palestine were more likely to quit in response to the following warnings: waterpipe smoking is addictive T1: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.4–3.7), harmful for children T2: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.4–4.1), harmful for the baby during pregnancy T6: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.3–4.3), and to believe that quitting reduces the health risks T9: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0–3.1). These results were not found in Jordan nor Egypt. Smokers reported that the most noticeable location of a HWL on a waterpipe device is the mouthpiece. CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of motivation to quit and its association with various warnings and smoking location could guide countries on which warnings to require in legislation and where best to require them particularly in relation to location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Farran
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Grace Khawam
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Centre for Development and Emergency Practices, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rima Nakkash
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Juhan Lee
- College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
| | - Niveen Abu-Rmeileh
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | | | - Aya Mostafa
- Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khalid A Kheirallah
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohamed Salama
- Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Randah R Hamadeh
- College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - James F Thrasher
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, United States
| | - Ramzi G Salloum
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
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Joseph R, Alshayban D. Changes in Attitude to Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking among Youngsters in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:1443-1450. [PMID: 34048172 PMCID: PMC8408403 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.5.1443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing number of epidemiological evidence suggests a significant increase in waterpipe tobacco smoking, and its potential to become a major public health concern in most Arabic countries, including Saudi Arabia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of intention to quit among ever users of waterpipe and intention to start among the never users. The study also investigated the barriers that may prevent users from quitting or trigger the nonusers to start waterpipe smoking. The study consisted of 464 university students from Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS One hundred and sixty-eight (36.2%) participants were responded that they had WTS at least one time in the past. Among the ever users of WTS, 120 (71.4%) participants had made an attempt or more to quit WTS in the past, 64 (38.1%) had made more than one attempt, and nearly two-third expressed the intention to quit WTS in the future. Forty (13.5%) out of 296 never-users expressed their intention to start WTS in the future. The study further showed that peer influence, social acceptance, and risk perception were significant predictors of intention to start or stop WTS among students. CONCLUSION It is promising that substantial users have the intention to discontinue WTS, though a fraction of never users wish to try WTS in the future.<br />.
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Affiliation(s)
- Royes Joseph
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dhafer Alshayban
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Kienhuis AS, Talhout R. Options for waterpipe product regulation: A systematic review on product characteristics that affect attractiveness, addictiveness and toxicity of waterpipe use. Tob Induc Dis 2020; 18:69. [PMID: 32934615 PMCID: PMC7485441 DOI: 10.18332/tid/125079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite its known adverse effects on human health, waterpipe smoking is increasing in popularity worldwide. However, compared to cigarettes, regulation of waterpipe product smoking lags behind and presents unique challenges. In search for regulatory options, this systematic review analyzes 36 studies on the differential effects on human health of the waterpipe characteristics including smoking products, heating sources, device components, and packages. METHODS A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, revealing 443 unique citations. After screening, 36 studies were included in the results. Research articles were selected to inform on differential effects caused by product characteristics on adverse health effects, attractiveness, addictiveness and prevalence of waterpipe use. RESULTS Flavors are the key aspect that defines attractiveness of waterpipe product smoking. All waterpipe products, with or without nicotine, produce toxicants in similar quantities as cigarettes. Heating sources for waterpipe tobacco include charcoals and electrical heating. Both heating sources increase toxicant emissions in different ways. Hoses and mouth tips are device components that are often shared in waterpipe smoking. Sharing influences attractiveness by enriching the social experience. At the same time, it influences the transfer of infectious diseases by bacteria and viruses from one smoker to another. Studies showed that more generic and less attractive packages with health warnings are effective in reducing the attractiveness of waterpipe smoking. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we advise to include all waterpipe products, tobacco and non-tobacco, with or without nicotine, in tobacco product regulations and smoking bans in order to: ban waterpipe molasses with characterizing flavors or ban the use of flavorings at any level; mandate dissemination of information on all waterpipe tobacco elements to the national regulator; prescribe testing to regulate contents of waterpipe smoking products and heating sources. Moreover, we advise to stimulate research on emissions of waterpipes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne S Kienhuis
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Reinskje Talhout
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Darawad MW, Rezk-Hanna M, Alhussami M, Lee J, Mostafa A, Abu-Rmeileh N, Kheirallah K, Salama M, Nakkash R, Saleh Z, Salloum R. Poly-Tobacco Use among Young Adult Waterpipe Smokers: Insights from University Students in Three Eastern Mediterranean Countries. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:2099-2108. [PMID: 32666880 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1790010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a tendency of waterpipe smokers to advance their practice toward concurrent use (poly-tobacco use) of other tobacco products and nicotine delivery systems. This study investigated poly-tobacco use among waterpipe smokers, and its effect on their quit intention. METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized to recruit a convenience sample of university students who used waterpipe in three East Mediterranean countries. Using an internet-based survey, data were collected regarding participants' demographics, use of alternative tobacco products and nicotine delivery systems, and waterpipe quitting profile. Results: A total of 2290 students agreed to participate, among which 1116 (45.3%) reported using at least one tobacco product beside waterpipe. Poly-tobacco use was highest (61.1%) in Egypt, followed by Jordan (45.1%) and Palestine (33.1%). Across countries, cigarettes were the most common product (45.2%, n = 924) followed by cigar (18.6%, n = 374) and e-shisha (17.5%, n = 353). Conversely, the least reported product was smokeless tobacco (7.5%, n = 151) preceded by regular pipe (9.5%, n = 193). Participants who were males (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 2.18-3.65), older (22-29 years) (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22), unemployed (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.22-2.04), and those who initiated waterpipe at a younger age (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.87-0.91) had higher odds of being poly-smokers. Poly-tobacco users were significantly more resistant to quit waterpipe. Conclusion: This study demonstrates poly-tobacco use as a rising phenomenon among waterpipe smokers and highlights the necessity for initiating advanced interventions to help waterpipe poly-tobacco users quit this dangerous type of addiction. Various country-specific programs are needed considering the various products used by the users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Rezk-Hanna
- School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Juhan Lee
- Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Aya Mostafa
- Department of Community Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Niveen Abu-Rmeileh
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Khalid Kheirallah
- Department of Public Health-Medical School, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohammed Salama
- Clinical Nursing Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Rima Nakkash
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zeyad Saleh
- School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ramzi Salloum
- Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Now is the Time for Effective Regulation Regarding Tobacco Smoking Using a Waterpipe (Hookah). J Adolesc Health 2019; 64:685-686. [PMID: 31122500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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