Scientific letters
High prevalence of hookah smoking among secondary school students in a disadvantaged community in Johannesburg
A Combrink, N Irwin, G Laudin, K Naidoo, S Plagerson, A Mathee
Abstract
Smoking of hookahs (also known as water-pipes) represents an emerging trend in tobacco use. Hookah smokers are at risk for the same diseases caused by cigarette smoking – cancer, respiratory and heart diseases, and pregnancy-related complications. Globally, the highest rates occur in the North African and East Mediterranean regions and among young people in the USA and European countries. There has been little research on hookah smoking in southern Africa.
Authors' affiliations
A Combrink, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
N Irwin, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
G Laudin, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
K Naidoo, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
S Plagerson, South African Medical Research Council
A Mathee, South African Medical Research Council
Keywords
Hookah pipes; tobacco; smoking;
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2010;100(5):297-299.
Article History
Date submitted: 2009-12-07
Date published: 2010-05-04
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