> [Pronounced "sha-wa-shi"] > Scientific integrity and accountability in tobacco research supporting public health interventions. Researcher and consultant in this field, mainly from a medical anthropology transdisciplinary perspective. Postgrad. DIU Tabacologie (*) 1998 and early university education in non-social sciences (physics, chemistry...). Teaches the hookah science to French doctors (University of Paris XI-XII). Consulted by the French Ministry of Health (national debate on controversial smoking ban). Scientific collaborator of various excellence research centres in Asia, Africa and Europe. 

Authored or co-authored 2 comprehensive transdisciplinary books and:

- Critique of the WHO flawed expert report on "“waterpipe"" smoking [2006] (Highly Accessed: 20,000-30,000 unique visits)

- First world studies on: Hookah smoking and cancer Aetiology [2008]; its Radiological hazards [2008] (both highly accessed. First one: 15,000-20,000 unique visits) and its ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) (Passive Smoke) [2009] including Public Health recommendations.

- Tetralogy on hookah and health (2005, 2006).

> Authored the critique of the Flawed Narghile smoking machine  and its Smoking Topography (US American University of Beirut)(2007, now free online with Editor's permission)

> 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). Réf. Toxibase . Involved, from Spring to Autumn 2004, in the development of a harm reduction narghile prototype cutting down CO (carbon monoxide) by 95%. 

> 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 scientifically unjustified 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, i.e. tobacco science) 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 (financial or non-financial ). I have, unfortunately, never received any funding (direct or indirect ) neither from Pharmaceutical companies (Nicotine "Replacement" Therapies and tools: e.g. patches, gums...) nor from the Tobacco industry (more details here ). However, any financial help from any source is welcome in order to help clearing up the world growing confusion surrounding ““waterpipe”” smoking as far as public health is concerned.

Plagiarism : In France, an extensive part of this work was plagiarised in the form of a "book" titled "Tout ce que vous ne savez pas sur la chicha" (Editions MARGAUX-ORANGE). Its "authors" are (Bertrand Dautzenberg, president of OFT (Office Français du Tabagisme), the national antismoking authority, and Jean-Yves Nau, columnist with Le Monde national newspaper. The above publisher (Stéphane Arbouze) defends such a practice and 3 "peer-reviewed" articles (International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; Revue des Maladies Respiratoires) have cited this great fraud. Evidence here (Letter in peer-reviewed biomedical journal) and comparative table there

 
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