Prevalence and Correlates of Hookah Use: a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults Ages 18-40 Years Old

Background: Hookah use may be increasing among adults in the US. Information on the prevalence and correlates of hookah use in the adult population is relatively limited.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of current (past 30-day) and lifetime use of hookah among adults ages 18-40 in the US and to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics associated with lifetime use.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey data from May 2010, August 2010, and January 2011 (n = 85,545). Logistic regression was used to examine various demographic correlates of lifetime hookah use.

Results: Among 18-40 year olds, the past month prevalence rate of hookah use was 0.6% and the lifetime prevalence rate of hookah use was 3.9%. Being male, non-Hispanic white, having higher levels of educational attainment, having never been married, not having any children, earning less than $20,000 annually, residing in the Midwest or western US, being a student, and being a cigarette smoker were associated with increased likelihood of lifetime hookah use. The prevalence of hookah use among current, cigarette smokers was 7.9%, more than double that of the general adult population.

Conclusions: Hookah use is significantly more common among cigarette smokers and among various demographic subgroups among general adult population. Given the risks associated with hookah and poly-tobacco use, targeted public health efforts are recommended. Additionally, health-care providers may consider expanding screening tests to include hookah use.