Smoke Signals: An Analysis of Policies to Reduce Hookah Use Among Adolescents in Washington State

This paper analyzes three policy options aimed at decreasing the prevalence of hookah use among youth: (1) banning commercial hookah venues in Washington State (WA); (2) increasing the minimum age for purchase, possession, and sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age; and (3) increasing the state excise tax on pipe tobacco to equal that of the state excise tax on cigarettes. These policy options were analyzed using three criteria: (a) the predicted reduction in the prevalence of hookah use among twelfth graders; (b) the fiscal impact on WA State; and (c) the political feasibility. Based on the analysis, it is recommended that WA State increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 21 years of age.

Author dc:creator

• Buice, Molly E.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Turner, Anne M

• adolescents; hookah; policy; tobacco; Washington; water pipe

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the individual authors.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1773/26716

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.lib.washington.edu:1773/26716