How do teens feel about water-pipe smoking?
In one study of Israeli students, at least 50% thought that water-pipe smoking was less harmful than cigarette smoking. Teens held common misconceptions about water-pipe smoking, such as that it involved less nicotine exposure than cigarettes, that the water filtered out the toxic chemicals, that it was less irritating to the respiratory tract, and that the tobacco contained fruit, so it was healthy. Teens said they smoked because it brought them pleasure, it helped them feel intimate at a social gathering, it helped them deal with pressure, and because it helped them to be accepted by their peers. What This Means to You: In teens, smoking is the leading preventable cause of future death and disability. This report identifies a possible smoking trend among teens called water-pipe smoking and some of the health risks associated with it. Some teens may be offered the opportunity to try water-pipe smoking, so as a parent it’s a good idea to know about teen smoking trends – and how you can
