Abstract
BACKGROUND: An alternative form of tobacco consumption, especially in the south of Iran, is waterpipe smoking. Hormozgan province ranks third in smoking waterpipe in Iran. The present study aimed to explore the causes of waterpipe smoking among men in Bandar Abbas, the largest city and the capital of Hormozgan province in southern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present qualitative research was conducted on 76 male waterpipe smokers at a waterpipe smoking cafe on the coast of Bandar Abbas. The data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The sampling continued until data saturation. The extracted data were analyzed through a content analysis. RESULTS: After the content analysis, 12 categories of reasons were extracted for waterpipe smoking. These categories were personal reasons, familial reasons, friends, physical reasons, psychological reasons, economic reasons, cultural reasons, positive attitude towards waterpipe, unemployment, geographical conditions, despair and freedom from daily life, easy access and abundant supply of waterpipe. The most prominent categories were physical and psychological factors followed by easy access and large supply of waterpipe on the coast of Bandar Abbas. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a strong need for preventive interventions in waterpipe smoking in the southern city of Bandar Abbas. Long-term interventions can significantly reduce the rate of waterpipe and tobacco consumption. They may aim to improve the health literacy of community members, and cultural reform of waterpipe smoking among people. It is incumbent on provincial policy makers and health decision makers to make short-term interventions too. For example, they can legally prohibit selling waterpipe on the beach, selling tobacco products on the coastal line, and increase modern and easily available, affordable and healthy entertainment.