title: Exploring Demographic and Substance Use Correlates of Hookah Use in a Sample of Southern California Community College Students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hookah smoking is a growing young adult phenomenon, particularly among college students. Many users feel that it is safer than other tobacco products, although its health threats are well documented. Little is known about hookah use rates in community colleges that are attended by nearly half of all US college students. This study examined hookah use in a diverse convenience sample of students attending two southern California community colleges.
  
  
  METHODS
  In fall 2011, a cross-sectional, in-classroom survey was administered to 1,207 students. A series of fully adjusted multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to explore demographic, other substance use, and attitudinal correlates of lifetime and current hookah use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lifetime hookah use (56%) was higher than lifetime cigarette use (49%). Gender and personal socioeconomic status were not related to hookah use. Current use (10.8%) was associated with current use of alcohol, cigars, and cigarettes. Compared to African-Americans, Whites were 2.9 times more likely to be current users, and students who perceive hookah to be more socially acceptable were 21 times more likely to currently use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since hookah use rates are high, colleges should offer health education programs to inform incoming students about the health risks of hookah and cessation programs.
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Susanne B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Borba-Silva
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Pramil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Hildemar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Jayakaran S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Job
authors.affiliation: Crafton Hills College.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Brink
keywords: Hookah; college students; community college; nicotine; tobacco; waterpipe