> Tobacco Researcher and consultant, mainly from a medical anthropology perspective. Native of Tunisia-Middle East. The only concern here is Public Health and the related urgent concrete actions that have not been taken so far. Postgrad. DIU Tobaccology (*) 1998 and early university education in non-social sciences (physics, chemistry...). Teacher of a comprehensive course on Hookah (Narghile, Shisha) smoking for French doctors (University of Paris XI-XII). Consulted by the French Ministry of Health. Scientic Collaborator of various excellence research centres in Asia, Africa and Europe.
> NEW 2009: Biographee of Marquis' “Who's Who in the World (since 1889)"
> Authored the CRITIQUE of the WHO erroneous expert report on "“waterpipe"" (jnrbm.com) [HIGHLY ACCESSED: 20,000-30,000 unique visits]
> Key co-author of first world studies on Hookah Smoking and CANCER Aetiology (harmreductionjournal.com) and its RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS [both HIGHLY ACCESSED. First one: 10,000-15,000 unique visits]
> > Authored the critique of the FLAWED NARGHILE SMOKING MACHINE and its Smoking Topography (US American University of Beirut). See below (2007, now free online)
> Issued the first PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS in relation with carbon monoxide intoxication risk in hookah lounges (Alcoologie 1999).
> Co-translator into French of John MARKS' PUBLIC HEALTH CLASSIC: Drug Misuse and Social Cost (Br J Hosp Med. 1994).
> Involved, from Spring to Autumn 2004, in the development of a no-CO (carbon monoxide) narghile prototype (harm reduction objective).
> All below cited studies have come to light in spite of a negative global environment for this kind of research, mainly caused by a regrettable competition (race for funds) and a prohibitionist agenda. They have been PEER-REVIEWED by academic teams from excellence research centres such as INSERM, CNRS (France), worldwide renown university laboratories and by not less prestigious scholars in this field. Presently working on Hookah Smoking and CANCER.
(*) Note for English-speakers: TABACOLOGIE (Tobaccology) is in France (in particular) the official cutting-edge scientific discipline for the study of all aspects (health, pharmacological, behavioural, social, cultural, historical and economical) of tobacco use with a strong focus on the dependence phenomenon.
> COMPETING INTERESTS: None. I have, unfortunately, never received any FUNDING (direct or indirect) neither from PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES (Nicotine "Replacement" Therapies; patches, gums, etc.) nor from the TOBACCO INDUSTRY. However, I would welcome any financial help from any source in order to help clearing up the world growing confusion surrounding ““waterpipe”” smoking as far as Public Health is concerned.
2008-12-11
