The arghile smoking epidemic among Arab Americans in south east Michigan

4^th World Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy

October 20-22, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Adnan Hammad

Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

The water pipe (arghile) is used to smoke specially made tobacco. Tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death in the world (WHO, 2008a), currently killing 6 million people every year, 72% of whom live in low- and middle- income countries.Contrary to popular belief, smoking arghile is often more harmful than cigarette smoking. Arghile smoke contains dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals and nicotine. A typical 1-hour arghile session generates as much smoke as a 100 cigarettes. Arghile smoking more than doubles the risk of lung cancer, respiratory illness, and low birth weight. Arghile is used daily by millions of men and women globally and is especially prevalent in countries with a high rate of smoking ranging from 77% in Yemen to 61.9% in Jordan to 42.6% in Syria. The high prevalence of tobacco& arghile consumption among the Arab world is the single most important factor responsible for increasing cancer incidence in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Tobacco causes about 90% of all lung cancers (MPOWER, 2008). Other tobacco-related cancers, such as caners of the bladder, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and colon, are among the five most common cancers that effect Arab males. Prevalence of arghile smoking among Arab Americans is estimated at 33%, owing to a mix of Arab cultural and pop-culture factors. About one-third to one-half of all long term smokers will die 15 years younger of tobacco-related diseases than a nonsmoker. Arghile impacts the general population as well with many students and adults that visit Hookah bars to socialize. Arghile smoking holds important cultural significance and many Arab American households have their own arghile at home which are smoked during family gatherings or after meals. In the Middle East and in Arab American communities throughout the U.S., arghile smoking is available at cafes, restaurants, and ?hookah lounges?. ACCESS has developed a culturally and linguistically appropriate evidence based model to address the issue of arghile that impacts a community of close to 400,000 Arab Americans in South East Michigan. ACCESS educates all members of the community including youth and women about the harmful impact of arghile smoking and helps break cultural barriers to address the issue. Currently, ACCESS is working to develop programs to expand their tobacco cessation program to incorporate arghile smoking.