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Many alternative tobacco products (ATPs), such as hookahs, have grown in popularity and use beyond their locale of origin and are therefore becoming a significant global public health concern. This article provides an overview of an under-reported and understudied ATP, dokha, which is smoked in a midwakh pipe. It describes the state of tobacco control in the Arabian Gulf region where midwakh smoking appears to be most common, the history of midwakh and dokha use, and what is known about midwakh smoking from the published literature. On the basis of the stark lack of data on midwakh use, we suggest priority areas to focus future research. Preliminary data and observations from health providers and the public health sector suggest that midwakh smoking may pose challenges to the tobacco control efforts in the Arabian Gulf region. If it is emerging as a new ATP outside this region, there could be a significant impact on tobacco control strategies globally.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051530

Type

Journal article

Journal

Tob Control

Publication Date

03/2016

Volume

25

Pages

236 - 241

Keywords

Global health, Non-cigarette tobacco products, Prevention, Priority/special populations, Arabs, Health Behavior, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Priorities, Humans, Middle East, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Smoking Prevention, Tobacco Products