Factors contributing to the rising prevalence of waterpipe smoking dependence among university students: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking (WPS) has been associated with a variety of adverse health effects, consequences, and symptoms of nicotine dependence. This study aims to determine the prevalence of WPS dependence among Palestinian university waterpipe smoking students, their normative beliefs about WPS, and their relationship to dependence.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of current WPS university students at five major Palestinian universities was conducted from September to December 2022.