Farwah Rizvi, Lubna Naz, Nazneen Zehra.
Perception of shisha smoking & drug abuse among university students of Karachi.
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;14(2):4-11.

Background: Tobacco smoking in the form of cigarettes and shisha hasbecome a sign of modernization and trend among youth for pleasant and relaxing experience. Drug addiction is the most common problem in young ones nowadays causing craving practices and long-term consequences includes disturbances in physical and mental health. Objective: To study the perception and frequency of drug abuse and shisha smoking among the university students of Karachi. Methodology: This study was conducted at Karachi University and NED University Karachi from April 2016 to May 2016. In this cross sectional survey based study, students (n=1000) of both gender were selected from Karachi University& NED University. A close ended questionnaire was structured to find out the history and perception, frequency, hazards and complications of drug abuse and shisha smoking. Results: Most of the Participants started smoking shisha in the age of 16-20 years.They initiated shisha smoking due to motivation of friends, its flavor, enjoyment and fashion trendinspite of knowing the hazardous effects associated with its regular usage. Similarly they have been using narcotic and non-narcotic drugs either due to fashion,stress relief and friendly gathering or habitual practices. Conclusion: The obtained results have shown that Shisha and cigarette smoking is very popular among students of universities in Karachi. Students are well aware of shisha hazard and drug abuse and their short and long term complications but they continue using because of society fashion trends,peers’ pressure, and lack of proper guidance. Therefore awareness should be given at high school college and university level to limit this trend.

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