Title: Waterpipe smoking and the coronavirus syndemic

Abstract

smokers among the participants. In Jordan, an online survey conducted in March 2021 by Al-Tammemi and colleagues (2021) included 2424 participants. Among the findings related to waterpipe smoking, respondents recorded their opinions on the relationship between smoking and domains of COVID-19 such as risk and spread of infection, safety concerns of smoking in public places and the home, clinical outcome and the belief in the protective effective of nicotine. Approximately 38.2%, 72.9% and 44.6% of respondents believed that cigarette smoking, waterpipe smoking and e-cigarette smoking respectively were related to the risk of contracting COVID-19. Clearly, participants considered that waterpipe smoking constituted a much higher risk. About 74% also considered that severity of COVID-19 would be worse for waterpipe smokers, ans almost 80% believed that waterpipe smoking in public places was unsafe during the syndemic. Conclusion: All the evidence suggests that waterpipe smoking poses its own unique set of risks and hazards during the COVID-19 syndemic. When combined with the well-established dangers of tobacco use in causing mortality and morbidity, contributing to a wide range of illnesses, the particular features of waterpipe smoking – the social setting, the apparatus used, the perceptions of waterpipe smokers themselves – all present a cause for concern. This review has concentrated on the research conducted in the Middle East region, both before and during the COVID-19 syndemic. While this region constitutes the highest use of waterpipe smoking, it is necessary to emphasise again that current research has alerted health authorities on the growing widespread use of waterpipes as a global problem, along with e-cigarettes and even e-hookah innovative products promoted by the tobacco industry. Misinformation disseminated by the industry has aided in influencing perceptions and endangering lives. More information is now required on motivation specifically to quit waterpipe smoking since the start of the syndemic, along with an appraisal of the effect of bans on waterpipe cafes in those countries where such bans have been applied.

Biography

M. Phil., University of Huddersfield, 2014: The perceptions of smokers and health care professionals on the smoking cessation program in Saudi Arabia. M.A. University of Bradford, 2006: Strengthening the relationship between the social worker and drug addicts. 1996-2005: various senior administrative positions in the Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia, relating to logistics and patient affairs. 2007-2012 and 2015-2018: senior administrative roles within the Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2019- present: attached to the Saudi Arabian Embassy, London.