Between tradition and modernity: Evolving attitudes toward female smoking in Palestine.

Abstract

Female smoking in many Arab countries has historically encountered strong cultural prohibitions, yet evidence suggests growing acceptance under conditions of urbanization and shifting gender norms. This study examines attitudes toward female smoking among individuals affiliated with Palestinian universities through semi-structured Zoom interviews with 50 participants (23 men, 27 women) from universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Using qualitative thematic analysis, we identified six superordinate themes: cultural shifts, family relations, health and psychological factors, religious and moral debates, media portrayals, and pathways toward support. Findings reveal that younger urban women often perceive waterpipe smoking as more socially permissible than cigarettes, whereas more traditional views persist even within academic communities. Participants noted that family tensions, persistent double standards, and concerns about "honor" sometimes lead women to smoke covertly. They also highlighted the need for empathy-based interventions that address both social stigma and mental health challenges. This study enriches regional literature on female smoking by demonstrating how tobacco use can function as a coping mechanism and a contested emblem of autonomy among university communities in Palestine.