Dataset Information

U.S. hookah tobacco smoking establishments advertised on the internet.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Establishments dedicated to hookah tobacco smoking recently have proliferated and helped introduce hookah use to U.S. communities.

Purpose

To conduct a comprehensive, qualitative assessment of websites promoting these establishments.

Methods

In June 2009, a systematic search process was initiated to access the universe of websites representing major hookah tobacco smoking establishments. In 2009-2010, codebook development followed an iterative paradigm involving three researchers and resulted in a final codebook consisting of 36 codes within eight categories. After two independent coders had nearly perfect agreement (Cohen's ? = 0.93) on double-coding the data in the first 20% of sites, the coders divided the remaining sites and coded them independently. A thematic approach to the synthesis of findings and selection of exemplary quotations was used.

Results

The search yielded a sample of 144 websites originating from states in all U.S. regions. Among the hookah establishments promoted on the websites, 79% served food and 41% served alcohol. Of the websites, none required age verification, <1% included a tobacco-related warning on the first page, and 4% included a warning on any page. Although mention of the word tobacco was relatively uncommon (appearing on the first page of only 26% sites and on any page of 58% of sites), the promotion of flavorings, pleasure, relaxation, product quality, and cultural and social aspects of hookah smoking was common.

Conclusions

Websites may play a role in enhancing or propagating misinformation related to hookah tobacco smoking. Health education and policy measures may be valuable in countering this misinformation.

SUBMITTER: Primack BA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3391575 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

U.S. hookah tobacco smoking establishments advertised on the internet.

Primack Brian A BA Rice Kristen R KR Shensa Ariel A Carroll Mary V MV DePenna Erica J EJ Nakkash Rima R Barnett Tracey E TE

American journal of preventive medicine 20120201 2

<h4>Background</h4>Establishments dedicated to hookah tobacco smoking recently have proliferated and helped introduce hookah use to U.S. communities.<h4>Purpose</h4>To conduct a comprehensive, qualitative assessment of websites promoting these establishments.<h4>Methods</h4>In June 2009, a systematic search process was initiated to access the universe of websites representing major hookah tobacco smoking establishments. In 2009-2010, codebook development followed an iterative paradigm involving ...[more]

PMID: 22261211

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Project description:BackgroundTobacco smoking using a hookah (i.e., waterpipe) is a global epidemic. While evidence suggests that sexual minorities (SM) have higher odds of hookah use compared to heterosexuals, little is known about their hookah use patterns and transitions. We sought to examine transitions between hookah smoking and use of other tobacco and electronic (e-) products among SM adults aged 18 years of age and older versus their heterosexual counterparts.MethodsWe analyzed nationally representative data of ever and current hookah smokers from Wave 1 (2013-2014; ever use n = 1014 SM and n = 9462 heterosexuals; current use n = 144 SM and n = 910 heterosexuals) and Wave 2 (2014-2015; ever use n = 901 SM and n = 8049 heterosexuals; current use n = 117 SM and n = 602 heterosexuals) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Comparisons between groups and gender subgroups within SM identity groups were determined with Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable survey-weighted multinomial logistic regression models were estimated for transition patterns and initiation of electronic product use in Wave 2.ResultsEver and current hookah smoking among SM adults (ever use Wave 1: 29% and Wave 2: 31%; current use Wave 1: 4% and Wave 2: 3%) was higher than heterosexuals (ever use Wave 1: 16% and Wave 2: 16%; current use Wave 1: 1% and Wave 2: 1%; both p < 0.0001). Among SM adults who reported hookah use at Wave 1, 46% quit hookah use at Wave 2; 39% continued hookah use and did not transition to other products while 36% of heterosexual adults quit hookah use at Wave 2 and 36% continued hookah use and did not transition to other products. Compared with heterosexuals, SM adults reported higher use of hookah plus e-products (Wave 2 usage increased by 65 and 83%, respectively).ConclusionsCompared to heterosexuals, in addition to higher rates of hookah smoking, higher percentages of SM adults transitioned to hookah plus e-product use between 2013 and 2015. Results have implications for stronger efforts to increase awareness of the harmful effects of hookah as well as vaping, specifically tailored among SM communities.

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Dataset Information

U.S. hookah tobacco smoking establishments advertised on the internet.

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

U.S. hookah tobacco smoking establishments advertised on the internet.

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