Problem/Objective: “Trendy hookah pipes far worse than cigarettes, officials warn!” “Hookah a popular pastime among college-age students” “Dangers of smoking hookah greater than that of cigarettes!” “Study shows global trend of smoking tobacco through a waterpipe, also known as a hookah; more young people and women have taken up the habit.” These are just some of the headlines flooding publications regarding the emergence of hookah use in today's society. With young people increasingly engaging in hookah, or water pipe, tobacco use, it is evident that something needs to be done. This trend is becoming more prevalent within the young adult community, particularly on college campuses. What efforts are underway to curtail this problem?

Methods: In response to the limited information currently available on the subject, the Youth Activism Council (YAC) of the American Legacy Foundation designed a project focusing on hookah use among college students. In June 2006, 15 young adults representing 13 states developed a survey focusing on undergraduate students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding hookah. During spring semester 2007, the group implemented the survey across a diverse selection of U.S. college campuses.

Results:

Conclusions: This session will offer new perspectives regarding hookah use among college youth from around the United States, including findings and lessons learned from the implementation of an innovative survey planned by young adults for young adults. Participants will learn the story of 15 national youth advocates on a mission to bring awareness to an emerging issue, hear results of their research, and learn about the accompanying educational campaign.