Associations between race, ethnicity, religion, and waterpipe tobacco smoking

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2014;13(1):58-71. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2013.850462.

Abstract

We surveyed a random sample of 852 students at a large university in 2010-2011 to clarify associations between waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), ethnicity, and religion. Current (past 30 day) WTS was reported by 116 (14%) students, and 331 (39%) reported ever WTS. Middle Eastern ethnicity was associated with current WTS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06, 5.34) and ever WTS (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.22, 5.47). South Asian ethnicity was associated with lower odds for ever WTS (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.86), but there was no significant association between South Asian ethnicity and current WTS. Being an atheist and having lower religiosity were associated with both WTS outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Religion*
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Students
  • Tobacco Products*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult