Objective: To determine the frequency of waterpipe smoking in students of different age groups.
Study design: Cross-sectional survey.
Place and duration of study: Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2012 to February 2013.
Methodology: The subjects were divided into two age groups. Group-I comprised of 13 - 17 years old randomly selected students from O' Level schools in Karachi and group-2 included 23 - 27 years old undergraduate and postgraduate students again randomly selected from various institutions in Karachi. A questionnaire was filled with prior consent, basic education on waterpipe smoking was given, and all the questions of the survey form were explained to the subjects according to context.
Results: In group-1, 39% students smoked waterpipe. Most students had been smoking waterpipe for the last 2 years. In group-2, 48% individuals smoked waterpipe, majority of smokers indulged in the last 5 years and among them, most were falling within the last 2 years.
Conclusion: The frequency of waterpipe smoking in teenage students was 39% and older students for 48%. Social and recreational use of waterpipes is widespread among both groups despite being acknowledged by majority as a health hazard.