Maziak, Wasim and Ward, Kenneth D and Eissenberg, Thomas (2007) Interventions for waterpipe smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), Art. No.: CD005549. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005549.pub2..
External website: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1465185...
Waterpipe smoking is a traditional method of tobacco use, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, but its use is now spreading worldwide. It is smoked socially, often being shared between friends or family at home, or in dedicated bars and cafes that provide waterpipes to patrons.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco cessation interventions for waterpipe users.
Conclusion: Epidemiological and observational evidence suggests that waterpipe use is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide. It is widely and erroneously perceived to be less lethal than other forms of tobacco use. Women, girls, and young people are more likely to take up waterpipe smoking, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. More research is needed on its addictive properties, and on the associated health risks, both for users and exposed non-smokers. Evidence-based information about waterpipes' addictive and harmful properties should be developed and disseminated in order to deglamourise and denormalise its use. A clear understanding of dependence development in young waterpipe smokers should guide the development of effective cessation treatments for waterpipe smokers. Such treatments need to be tested with the help of high quality randomized trials.
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