Waterpipe or Hookah-Related Poisoning Events Among US Adolescents and Young Adults

Purpose: Waterpipe or hookah use is associated with carbon monoxide poisoning and effects such as nausea and vomiting. We examined the public health burden of poisoning events involving hookah tobacco in the U.S., especially among adolescents and young adults. Methods: We analyzed events involving hookah tobacco that were reported to U.S. poison control centers between 2001 and 2017 by age and over time as well as by medical outcome, health care level, and clinical effects. Results: A total of 276 relevant poisoning events involving hookah were reported. Among the 248 individuals with a specific age reported, 35 (14.1%) were aged between 10 and 17 years and 136 (54.8%) were aged between 18 and 24 years. Common clinical effects included dizziness/vertigo, nausea, headache, and vomiting. Conclusions: Hookah tobacco use is associated with poisoning events consistent with exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.