Work

Prevalence of tobacco use among adolescent Palestine refugees: A cross-regional study in United Nations Relief Works Agency schools in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study aims to assess the prevalence of the current use of tobacco and e-cigarettes; to identify temporal trends, and to assess factors influencing tobacco use among adolescent Palestine refugees. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) was conducted in United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) schools in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) in 2022. Prevalences were presented as rates with 95 % confidence intervals, stratified by location and sex. A time series analysis of 2008–2022 was performed. Among 13–15-year-old Palestine refugees ( n = 9193), 24.7 % (95 % CI [21.0–27.7]) of boys and 16.4 % (95 % CI [14.4–18.7]) of girls currently use tobacco products (including cigarettes, smoked tobacco products such as waterpipe, and smokeless tobacco). E -cigarettes are used by 18.1 % (95 % CI [15.4–21.2]) of boys and 9.3 % (95 % CI [7.5–11.5]) of girls. Tobacco and e-cigarette use is highest in the West Bank and lowest in Gaza. The prevalence of tobacco use has remained largely unchanged since 2013–2014. E -cigarette use among girls increased in Lebanon, Jordan, and the West Bank, but decreased in Gaza. Additionally, 39.7 % (95 % CI [36.4–43.1]) of adolescents are exposed to secondhand smoke in enclosed public spaces. The decline in tobacco use has stagnated over the past decade, and e-cigarette use among girls is on the rise, except in Gaza. Immediate and stringent enforcement of national and school policies, along with continued targeted gender-sensitive programs, are essential to curb the rising trend of e-cigarette use and maintain progress in reducing tobacco consumption. Amongst 13-15 year old Palestine refugees in schools of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine: • Tobacco use is 24.7 % among boys and 16.4 % among girls. • E-cigarette use is 18.1 % among boys and 9.3 % among girls. • Since 2014/2014 e-cigarette use rose sharply among girls, except in Gaza where it decreased. • Overall tobacco use remained stable since 2013/2014. • Waterpipe use and cigarette use declined since 2013/2014.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103190

Authors: Sandrine Jacoba Cornelia Vollebregt, Amal Arafeh, Heba Fouad

Institutions: United Nations, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization - Egypt

Language: English

Topic: Smoking Behavior and Cessation

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610