Explanation of the factors affecting quitting hookah smoking among women living in the southern cities of Iran: a qualitative study

Background Hookah smoking is becoming increasingly popular among women in southern of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect women’s decisions to quit smoking hookah.Methods In this qualitative research, 35 women from southern Iranian cities who had quit hookah were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The data was then analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results Data analysis revealed five major themes and 23 associated subthemes. The main themes were: (a) Individual Factors (Personal health concern, Avoiding wasting time, Awareness of side effects, Consuming without results, Getting married, Having children, Employment, Pregnancy, Fear of addiction, Considering the consequences); (b) family factors (Husband’s illness, Family Encouragement, Husband’s disapproval, Preventing other family members from becoming hookah smokers, Sister as a role model); (c) Social factors (Media influence, Shame of being in tobacco and hookah shops, Reduction of consumption in social gathering and community, Alleviation of loneliness due to the presence of others); (d) Cultural factors (Cultural change, Non-acceptance in other cultures, Closure of hookah cafes); and (e) Economic factors (Increase in costs).Conclusions To effectively decrease hookah smoking among women, it is essential to take into account individual, family, social, cultural, and economic factors.