Special supplement of Tobacco Control on waterpipe issue launched at the Conference

Waterpipe smoking has reached global proportions, especially among youth. Available evidence suggests that waterpipe smoking carries considerable risks to smokers and those surrounding them. But waterpipe smoking continues to be unregulated and to fly under the tobacco control policy radar.

In the Eastern Mediterranean region, waterpipe smoking has become the number one tobacco use method among youth. The issue was discussed in both sessions and posters presented at the 16th WCTOH.

In addition, the journal Tobacco Control launched a special supplement at the Conference, designed to draw attention to this emerging public health problem and the need to develop waterpipe-specific research and regulatory frameworks.

It is available as an open access journal supplement here: http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/24/Suppl_1