Health warning labelling practices on narghile (shisha, hookah) waterpipe tobacco products and related accessories. Issue 3 (25th May 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakkash, Rima; Khalil, Joanna
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 19:Issue 3(2010)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2010-05-25
• Subjects: Waterpipe -- shisha -- narghile -- hookah -- health warnings -- WHO FCTC Article 11 -- nontraditional modes of tobacco use -- packaging and labelling -- public policy -- tobacco products; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.2009.031773
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking prevalence is increasing around the globe despite current evidence that smoke emissions are toxic and contain carcinogenic compounds. Objective: To evaluate current health warning labelling practices on waterpipe tobacco products and related accessories. Methods: All waterpipe tobacco products, as well as waterpipe accessories, were purchased from Lebanon and a convenience sample was obtained from Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Bahrain, Canada, Germany and South Africa. Findings: Of the total number of waterpipe tobacco products collected from Lebanon, the majority had textual health warning labels covering on average only 3.5% of total surface area of the package. Misleading descriptors were commonplace on waterpipe tobacco packages and related accessories. Conclusions: There are no WHO FCTC compliant waterpipe-specific health warning labels on waterpipe tobacco products and related accessories. Introducing health warnings on waterpipe tobacco products and accessories will probably have worldwide public health benefits.