Background: For years, tobacco risk communication has largely focused on cigarette smoking. New strategies must be developed to adapt to emerging tobacco products, such as waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS).
Aims: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effects of health information on waterpipe lounge menus on the perceptions of harm and risk from WTS and inform future efficacy interventions for health communication (i.e., educating populations on the risks, harms, and health consequences of WTS).
Method: Participants aged 18 to 24 years (n = 213) who smoked waterpipe at least monthly were randomized to one of four waterpipe lounge menu groups using a two-by-two experimental design with "warning message" and "nicotine content" as factors.
Results: Those who viewed waterpipe lounge menus that included a warning message had greater perceived relative harm to health and perceived risk of decreased lung function from WTS. Those who viewed waterpipe lounge menus that included nicotine content had greater perceived risk of heart attack from WTS.
Discussion: Participants who were exposed to health warnings of WTS and information on the nicotine content of waterpipe tobacco increased on measures of perceived relative harm and risk of health consequences.
Conclusion: The pilot test results indicate promise for providing health information on waterpipe lounge menus to educate young adults on the harms and risks of WTS.
Keywords: community health promotion; general terms; health promotion; population groups; quantitative methods; smoking and tobacco use; substance use; tobacco control and policy; young adults.