The frequency of shisha (waterpipe) smoking in students of different age groups.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of waterpipe smoking in students of different age groups. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2012 to February 2013. METHODOLOGY The subjects were divided into two age groups. Group-I comprised of 13 - 17 years old randomly selected students from O' Level schools in Karachi and group-2 included 23 - 27 years old undergraduate and postgraduate students again randomly selected from various institutions in Karachi. A questionnaire was filled with prior consent, basic education on waterpipe smoking was given, and all the questions of the survey form were explained to the subjects according to context. RESULTS In group-1, 39% students smoked waterpipe. Most students had been smoking waterpipe for the last 2 years. In group-2, 48% individuals smoked waterpipe, majority of smokers indulged in the last 5 years and among them, most were falling within the last 2 years. CONCLUSION The frequency of waterpipe smoking in teenage students was 39% and older students for 48%. Social and recreational use of waterpipes is widespread among both groups despite being acknowledged by majority as a health hazard.