Hookah use among high school children in an Indian city

Use of hookah is on the rise among youngsters. A growing body of evidence suggests that these children are experimenting with this form of tobacco.

The study was carried out to know prevalence estimates of hookah use and factors associated with it among high school students.

This study adds to the current literature by providing prevalence estimates and factors associated with hookah use among high school students of Indore - a city in central India.

A cross-sectional survey of 1000 students from high schools was conducted to find hookah users and factors associated with its use.

Hookah users in this study population were 7.6%. Most of them first learned about hookah from friends (63.2%). They usually smoked in hookah lounges (85.5%). These children believed that hookah was safer and more socially acceptable than cigarettes.

Misperceptions of safety and popularity of hookah among the younger generation are cause for concern. Presence of hookah lounges should be a target for further regulation. Prevention activities are necessary to prevent this rising public health concern.