Khalid M. Almutairi, MS and Ian M. Newman, PhD. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, P. O. Box 880345, Lincoln, NE 68588-0345, 402-472-6046, assem21@yahoo.com

This study describes the extent of cigarette and sheesha (water pipe) smoking and the effects of four predictor variables on cigarette and sheesha smoking among a sample of 715 male college students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Based on interviews, discussions, and focus groups, a questionnaire was developed to assess the extent of tobacco use and the relationship of tobacco use to (1) parental smoking behavior and attitudes, (2) peer smoking behavior and attitudes, (3) knowledge of the harmful effects of tobacco and (4) the practice of Islam. The significance of each of the predictor variables was explored using logistic regression. Ten percent of the sample smoked cigarettes, 8.7% smoke sheesha, 17.3% smoked both sheesha and cigarettes. Each of the predictor variables significantly predicted tobacco use with peers being the most significant. The implications of these findings for policy development and health education are discussed as well as the method used to quantify religious practice.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to (
• describe the extent of cigarette and sheesha smoking in the sample of college students, (
• describe the influence of parents, peers, knowledge and the practice of Islam on cigarette smoking and sheesha smoking and (
• describe a method to quantify religious practice.

Keywords: Tobacco, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.