Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians

Introduction Non-traditional tobacco products, such as waterpipes and e-cigarettes, are perceived to be less harmful than cigarettes. The north of the West Bank has become the site for growing tobacco production and consumption. This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of nontraditional t...

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Main Authors: Motaz Saifi, Basma Damiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Publishing 2024-05-01
Series:Population Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.populationmedicine.eu/Non-traditional-tobacco-smoking-An-emerging-risk-in-the-West-Bank-among-male-Palestinians,189375,0,2.html
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author Motaz Saifi
Basma Damiri
author_facet Motaz Saifi
Basma Damiri
author_sort Motaz Saifi
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Non-traditional tobacco products, such as waterpipes and e-cigarettes, are perceived to be less harmful than cigarettes. The north of the West Bank has become the site for growing tobacco production and consumption. This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of nontraditional tobacco smoking (waterpipes and e-cigarettes) and associated risk factors among men in the West Bank. Methods In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among males aged ≥16 years in 2022 from the largest three governorates in the north of the West Bank (n=1241). Body mass index and waist circumferences were measured. Results The final number of participants was 1204, aged 16–58 years; 58.9% were singles, 69.4% were young adults, 22.1% were adolescents, 67.5% were cigarette smokers (53.9% heavy smokers), 35.3% were waterpipe smokers, and 15% e-cigarette smokers. Adjusted logistic regression results revealed that risk factors associated with waterpipe smoking were e-cigarette smoking (AOR=3.29; 95% CI: 2.30–4.70), energy drink intake (AOR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.24–2.13), young adult age (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03), being a student without work (AOR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.09–3.50) or a working student (AOR=2.73; 95% CI: 1.32–5.65), and less likely to be associated with cigarette smoking (AOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.18– 0.31). In addition, an increased likelihood of central obesity was associated with waterpipe smoking (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03) and decreased with coffee intake (AOR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.27–0.87). Conclusions Non-traditional tobacco smoking is an emerging hazard among male Palestinians, with waterpipe smoking linked to increased central obesity. Further research is needed to investigate the health consequences of this trend in the West Bank.
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spelling doaj-art-1d54e25917e2478e91f0ef80ee0890ef2025-08-20T02:41:46ZengEuropean PublishingPopulation Medicine2654-14592024-05-016May1810.18332/popmed/189375189375Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male PalestiniansMotaz Saifi0Basma Damiri1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, An- Najah National University, Nablus, PalestineFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Drug, and Toxicology Division, An-Najah National University, Nablus, PalestineIntroduction Non-traditional tobacco products, such as waterpipes and e-cigarettes, are perceived to be less harmful than cigarettes. The north of the West Bank has become the site for growing tobacco production and consumption. This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of nontraditional tobacco smoking (waterpipes and e-cigarettes) and associated risk factors among men in the West Bank. Methods In a cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among males aged ≥16 years in 2022 from the largest three governorates in the north of the West Bank (n=1241). Body mass index and waist circumferences were measured. Results The final number of participants was 1204, aged 16–58 years; 58.9% were singles, 69.4% were young adults, 22.1% were adolescents, 67.5% were cigarette smokers (53.9% heavy smokers), 35.3% were waterpipe smokers, and 15% e-cigarette smokers. Adjusted logistic regression results revealed that risk factors associated with waterpipe smoking were e-cigarette smoking (AOR=3.29; 95% CI: 2.30–4.70), energy drink intake (AOR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.24–2.13), young adult age (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03), being a student without work (AOR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.09–3.50) or a working student (AOR=2.73; 95% CI: 1.32–5.65), and less likely to be associated with cigarette smoking (AOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.18– 0.31). In addition, an increased likelihood of central obesity was associated with waterpipe smoking (AOR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.15–4.03) and decreased with coffee intake (AOR=0.44; 95% CI: 0.27–0.87). Conclusions Non-traditional tobacco smoking is an emerging hazard among male Palestinians, with waterpipe smoking linked to increased central obesity. Further research is needed to investigate the health consequences of this trend in the West Bank.https://www.populationmedicine.eu/Non-traditional-tobacco-smoking-An-emerging-risk-in-the-West-Bank-among-male-Palestinians,189375,0,2.htmltobaccoe-cigarettesvapewaterpipewest bankhazard
spellingShingle Motaz Saifi
Basma Damiri
Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
Population Medicine
tobacco
e-cigarettes
vape
waterpipe
west bank
hazard
title Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
title_full Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
title_fullStr Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
title_full_unstemmed Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
title_short Non-traditional tobacco smoking: An emerging risk in the West Bank among male Palestinians
title_sort non traditional tobacco smoking an emerging risk in the west bank among male palestinians
topic tobacco
e-cigarettes
vape
waterpipe
west bank
hazard
url https://www.populationmedicine.eu/Non-traditional-tobacco-smoking-An-emerging-risk-in-the-West-Bank-among-male-Palestinians,189375,0,2.html
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AT basmadamiri nontraditionaltobaccosmokinganemergingriskinthewestbankamongmalepalestinians