A qualitative exploration of experts' views about multi-dimensional aspects of hookah smoking control in Iran

The related literature has primarily addressed cigarette smoking control. It seems that researchers have failed to explore the determinants of hookah smoking (HS) control. In an attempt to fill this gap, the present study explores experts' views about aspects of HS control in Bandar Abbas, a city in the south of Iran.

The present qualitative study, conducted in 2022 and 2023, used a content analysis. To this aim, 30 experts in tobacco prevention and control were invited to participate in the research. Twenty seven accepted the invitation. In-depth, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews were held with the experts. A purposive sampling was used and the data collection continued until data saturation. The interviews lasted between 18 and 65 min. MAXQDA 10.0 was used for data management and analysis.

The expert interviewees had a mean age of 44.77 ± 6.57 years and a mean work experience of 18.6 ± 6.8 years. A total number of six main categories were extracted from the data, including usin influential figures to control HS, controlling HS by alternative activities, changing beliefs and attitudes toward HS, taking administrative and regulatory measures, and facilitating HS cessation.

This qualitative study explored the multifaceted ways people adopt to quit HS. Using influential figures to control hookah smoking, promoting alternative activities as a means of control, changing beliefs and attitudes, enforcing administrative regulations, and facilitating quit attempts all play an important role in tackling the prevalence of hookah smoking. These findings emphasize the importance of a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to integrate various interventions to effectively address hookah smoking behavior.