| Introduction. Globally, the popularity of hookah smoking, as a
social and entertaining behavior, is increasing among adolescents
and youths. The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of
high school students on Social Unacceptability (Arabic/Persian
term = Qabahat) of Hookah Smoking (SUoHS) in an Iranian context.
Methods. In this qualitative study, 31 student adolescents in
Tabriz, Iran, were invited to participate in semi-structured
individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Data
were analyzed using interpretative thematic analysis.
Results. The unacceptability of hookah smoking was viewed at
the “disreputability of hookah smoking and hookah smokers”.The students also explained SUoHS in the “incivility of hookah
smoking and smokers in the society”, “disrespectfulness of
hookah smokers and their families”, and “the consequences of
hookah smoking”.
Conclusions. The SUoHS is rooted in the social values and
norms within communities. To decrease hookah smoking levels
among adolescents, school health nursing interventions should
be tailored to bridge the gap between their recognition of
SUoHS and subsequent behavior change through creating group
dynamics highlighting the domains of social unacceptability of
the behavior. |