A Sociological Study on Hookah Consumption Among the Youth of Shiraz

Tobacco smoking is a major anticipated risk factor that causes serious health challenges. In recent decades, hookah consumption has grown rapidly among adolescents and the youth around the world and it is currently considered a global public health problem. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating hookah consumption and identifying related socio-cultural factors.

This study used a quantitative method and the survey technique. Using multi-stage stratified sampling, 600 young subjects aged 18-29 were studied in the city of Shiraz. William Cockerham’s health lifestyles model was used as the theoretical framework for this study and the data were analyzed using SPSS.

The findings of this study indicated that 44.2% of the respondents have a history of hookah use and there is a statistically significant relationship between hookah use and age, gender, marital status, education, social belonging, social capital, health-related cultural capital, and general self-efficacy.

Based on the results of this study, it seems that using coherent educational and culture-building programs and, thus, the promotion of social capital, health-related cultural capital, and general self-efficacy, the hookah consumption rate can be reduced among the youth.