Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Associated Risk Factors among Bangladeshi University Students: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Abstract

Over the past two decades, there has been a global rise in the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking. Waterpipe tobacco smoking involves the inhalation of heated tobacco smoke after passing through water, and it has been associated with an identified dependence effect similar to that found with cigarette smoking. Despite the popularity of waterpipe tobacco among youth (and in particular, university students) in many countries, detailed data of its usage are lacking in Bangladesh. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore waterpipe tobacco smoking behavior and normative beliefs among university students in Bangladesh and to assess the factors associated with waterpipe tobacco use. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was carried out among 340 Bangladeshi university students (64.4% male; mean age 21.6 years). Among participants, 13.5% reported they had ever smoked tobacco from a waterpipe and 9.4% had it in past 30 days. Among past 30-day users, 72% were categorized as having waterpipe smoking dependence (n = 23). No females in the sample had ever smoked using a waterpipe. Maternal occupation, monthly expenditure, and regular smoking status were major predominant factors associated with waterpipe smoking behavior of the students. The study is of existential value given that there are no prior studies ever carried out in Bangladesh previously. Recommendations are provided based on the study’s findings, particularly in relation to what action is needed from universities in Bangladesh.