Hookah use among Oregon youth is on the rise according to a study released today by the Oregon Public Health Division's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program.
The findings are part of a larger assessment of cigar bars' and smoke shops' compliance with Oregon's Smokefree Workplace Law. The law was amended Jan. 1, 2009, to prohibit indoor smoking in almost all indoor workplaces and public places with the exception of certified cigar bars and smoke shops.
Smoking is allowed in certified hookah lounges under a state smoke shop exemption. Hookahs are water pipes that originated in ancient Persia and India and are typically used to smoke flavored tobacco in a social setting. The tobacco typically comes in fruit flavors or in ones that resemble alcoholic beverages such as strawberry daiquiri.
Lounge customers or those who purchase the flavored tobacco called "shisha" must be 18 and older. Lounges do not serve alcohol.
Hookah use has been linked to lung cancer and other respiratory heart diseases, according to the American Lung Association. Smokers are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals and hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide.
Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program employees began observing businesses this summer to assess whether they were complying with indoor smoking exemption criteria, such as carding for minors and displaying proper signage.
The observers also collected data on indoor air quality, customer demographics and the types of products for sale. The Public Health Division also commissioned a focus group with parents and youth about their perceptions of hookah.
Among the findings:
·The prevalence of hookah smoking increased among Oregon eighth and 11th graders between 2008 and 2009, according to Oregon Health Teens survey data.
·A majority of the businesses surveyed were in compliance with the exemption criteria. The most common reason for being out of compliance was improper signage.
·Indoor air quality at some hookah establishments would be deemed unhealthy according to the Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index and would trigger health alerts advising that "everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects."
·Teenagers who participated in the focus groups indicated widespread acceptance of hookah smoking.
Jonathan Modie, spokesman for the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, says the popularity of hookah among young people is a great health concern.
"I go back to the focus groups where there were people saying, 'I would never use cigarettes.' 'Cigarettes are horrible, but hookah isn't bad at all.' 'There is no harsh flavor.' 'It's actually really sweet.' 'It's easy to smoke hookah.' 'In fact, it may not even be tobacco.' They just don't even believe it's tobacco."
Source from: Oregonlive.com
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