Evaluation of prevalence and severity of nicotine dependency among water pipe smokers in Tehran

Introduction: Water pipe smoking is an old method of tobacco smoking which is getting more popular in many countries such as Iran. The prevalence of water pipe smoking is increasing around the world, especially among the young. The main reason for this increase is due to misperception that water pipe is safer and less addictive than cigarette. There is no study in this field in Iran so, it was essential to carry out the study of prevalence and severity of nicotine dependency among water pipe users in Tehran.Method: In the present study, current water pipe smokers were evaluated considering nicotine dependency. Data gathering tool was LWTDS (Lebanon Water pipe Tobacco Dependence Score) questionnaire. Firstly, its reliability and validity were evaluated and then it was standardized for Iranian population.Results: Our subjects were ۴۶۵ water pipe smokers. The mean age of them was ۳۰۱۰.۲ years. There were ۲۹۸ men (۶۴%) and ۱۶۶ women (۳۶%) among the subjects. The mean score of nicotine dependence was ۱۱.۵۸۷.۴۴. There was no significant difference between men and women according to nicotine dependency. In general, ۲۴۶ subjects (۵۲.۹%) were addicted to water pipe. ۹۴ men (۳۲%) and ۴۹ women (۲۹%) were highly addicted to water pipe (P-Value=۰.۴۷).Conclusions: According to the results, it was seen that more than half of water pipe smokers were addicted to nicotine and there was no significant difference between dependence severity of men and women. The results should be considered as warning for waterpipe users who believe that waterpipe smoking is just for fun and it does not bring about any addiction. In this regard, further studies are needed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nicotine ، Water Pipe ، Smoking ، Tehran