19.7 percent of students from college and universities in Pakistan smoke sheesha, a study has revealed.
The study conducted by Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) found that sheesha-smoking youngsters are in the age group of 20-25 years.
It also found that 57.2 percent youngsters started sheesha smoking at the age of 17-18 years.
Sheesha smoking was highest in the federal capital of Pakistan with 28.1 percent and lowest in Peshawar, which is 11.2 percent.
The trend was found to be highest among engineering students in terms of professional background with 29 percent.
According to the study, 23.8 percent smoked sheesha for enjoyment and 12.1 percent students believed sheesha is less harmful than cigarette smoking and 3.3 percent students mentioned that smoke is passed through filter.
PMRC Executive Director, Dr. Huma Qureshi said that age, gender, socio-economic status and cigarette smoking are the important predictors for sheesha-smoking.
She further said that awareness about sheesha-smoking is tremendously low as majority considers it to be a safer practice than cigarette smoking, the report added.
