Understanding psychosocial aspects of waterpipe smoking among college students.

OBJECTIVE To gain an understanding of the psychosocial and environmental influences on waterpipe smoking among college students. Participants were 49 university students who were regular waterpipe smokers. METHODS A series of in-depth, in-person, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted. RESULTS It was a common belief that wa- ter in the waterpipe absorbed all the "impurities" in the tobacco and that it was safer and less addictive than smoking cigarettes. Main reasons for waterpipe smoking were social acceptance, peer influence, socializing with friends, perception of looking "cool" and physiological effects commonly referred to as "buzz." CONCLUSIONS Interventions focusing on changing the perceptions of college students regarding health hazards associated with waterpipe smoking should be developed.