A framework for researching the waterpipe tobacco business sector in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The waterpipe tobacco sector is a fragmented and multifaceted part of the tobacco industry, including shisha tobacco, hookah devices, and the hospitality industry. Information on this sector's business structure and its actors is limited. This study aims to develop a framework for understanding the scope, business entities, and key actors in the waterpipe sector in the United States that can facilitate research and public health interventions.

Methods

We first identified a sample of 87 waterpipe-related business entities through internet searches and business intelligence reports provided by marketing research companies. Using grounded theory, we then identified key business components and themes within the waterpipe sector, which we iteratively refined through

SUBMITTER: Mohammadi SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12285647 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature