Behavioral Analysis of Waterpipe Smoking in Lebanon

This Report was written by American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon. The report examines consumption patterns, spending behavior, and smoking settings of waterpipe smoking based on a nationally representative survey. The adult smoking prevalence for waterpipe is 39%. Women, younger people, and more educated individuals were more likely to smoke waterpipe relative to their counterparts. Waterpipe smokers report smoking waterpipe on 1.28 days per week on average, which suggests that is often a social and intermittent practice. Men tend to consume a larger quantity, with an average of 3.5 bowls or more per week, compared to between 2.57 and 2.82 bowls for women. In turn, men spend $24 monthly on average, while women with low educational attainment spend $19.7 and women with higher educational attainment spend $17.2. 94% of waterpipe users smoke waterpipe at home, and 30% smoke waterpipe in cafes, with many smokers combining both at-home and out-of-home consumption. Although per-bowl costs are much higher at in cafes or restaurants, the frequency of smoking leads to higher spending on at-home consumption. The report concludes with recommendations to reduce waterpipe consumption by introducing a supplemental tax on establishments that offer waterpipe, raising the excise tax on waterpipe, and educating the public on the risks of this product.