Author/Authors :
Waked, M. St George University Hospital - Department of Pulmonology, Lebanon , Salameh, P. Lebanese University - Faculty of Public Health - Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, Lebanon , Aoun, Z. Hotel-Dieu Hospital - Department of Pulmonology, Lebanon
Abstract :
We carried out a comparative study to assess the demographic and social characteristics of water pipe (WP) smokers, the association with cigarette smoking and chronic respiratory diseases and the dependence profile on 4 groups: exclusive WP smokers, exclusive cigarette smokers, mixed smokers and absolute non-smokers. Cigarette smoking was statistically significantly higher in WP smokers than non-WP smokers; 36.5% of exclusive WP smokers smoked ≥ 7 WPs/week. Chronic respiratory disease and chronic bronchitis were reported more frequently in exclusive WP smokers than absolute non-smokers. WP smoking seems to be as great a risk factor as cigarette smoking for chronic respiratory disease.
