The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Many women smokers in Egypt have begun patronizing cafés, where cigarette and waterpipe smoking are permitted. We surveyed the behavioral and social characteristics of these smokers, studied their attitudes, beliefs, knowledge about tobacco smoking and its health effects.

Methods: An anonymous, self-administrated questionnaire was given to women attending 34 cafés located in Cairo, Egypt, during 2004. A total of 630 women volunteer participants of various educational levels and 196 female undergraduate students in medicine or science completed the survey.

Results: Among the 630 women, 49% were cigarette smokers, 23% smoked both cigarettes and waterpipes, and 28% were exclusive water pipe smokers. 40.5% of unmarried participants were waterpipe smokers, compared to 24.6% of married women and 31.5% of divorced women (P<0.001). Being unmarried was also associated with the belief that water pipe smoking is less harmful than cigarettes (44% vs. 28% of married and 27% of divorced, P<0.01). Among university medical and science student participants, curiosity was a common factor leading to initiation of smoking, and over half of the students (61%) had been encouraged to start smoking by female friends. The majority were living unsupervised by their parents. Reasons for smoking waterpipe include: the perception of waterpipe as fashionable (21%), belief that waterpipe s are less harmful than cigarettes (20%), and the desire to be with friends in cafes (19%). The majority reported that their educational curriculum did not include any information about tobacco health effects. Waterpipe smoking is attracting young unmarried and educated women. Educational intervention is needed to correct misconception about waterpipe smoking.