Research

High prevalence of cigarette use among low-income African Americans
A recent study found that low-income African Americans are starting to smoke at a younger age than in the past, and therefore are smoking at a higher rate. Researchers examined 1,021 low-income African-Americans, finding rates of smoking of 59% among men and 41% among women in the sample. The study is published in the September issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Click to view the abstract.

Smoking rates disproportionately high in gay and lesbian community
According to a study released by the California Department of Health Services, tobacco use in the gay and lesbian community is about double that in the general population. Researchers found that 28% of gay men smoke, as compared to 19% of men in general. The study also found that 32.5% of lesbians smoke, which is almost three times the rate of women in general. Click for more information.

Korean smokers’ perceptions of U.S. tobacco control policies
An article in the May 2005 issue of Public Health Nursing finds that Korean male smokers' perceptions of tobacco control policies in the U.S. differ based on smoking status and length of U.S. residency. Click to view the abstract.

Asian Americans suffer from secondhand smoke exposure
An article in the August 2005 issue of Preventive Medicine examined smoking status, exposure to secondhand smoke, and knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding secondhand smoke among a sample of 1374 Asian-Americans, including Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and Cambodians. Researchers found that secondhand smoke exposure is a common public health hazard among Asian Americans and that knowledge level about secondhand smoke affected tolerance level. Click to view the abstract.

Smoking prevalence and correlates among Chinese- and Filipino-American adults
Researchers used the results of the 2001 California Health Interview Survey to examine prevalence rates and correlates of cigarette smoking among Chinese- and Filipino-American adults, along with rates found in other racial/ethnic groups. The proportion of current smokers among males was lowest among Chinese Americans (14%), followed by Non-Hispanic Whites (19%), Hispanics (20%), African Americans (22%), Filipino Americans (24%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (29%), and Pacific Islanders (32%). The proportion of current smokers among females was lowest among Chinese Americans (6%), followed by Hispanics (8%), Filipino Americans (11%), Non-Hispanic Whites (17%), African Americans (20%), Pacific Islander (21%), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (32%). Smoking rates among Asians were affected by whether an individual was U.S.-born or foreign-born. For men, smoking rates were higher among the foreign-born, whereas for women, smoking rates were higher among the U.S.-born. Click to view the article.

Racial and gender differences in susceptibility to tobacco smoke among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Researchers studied patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, finding that African American women are at increased risk of loss of lung function due to smoking, with Caucasian men showing the most protection from tobacco smoke. Click to view the article.

Higher rates of lung cancer among black Americans related to cellular “checkpoints”
Researchers at Georgetown University and the National Cancer Institute have found that high rates of lung cancer in black Americans may be the result of faulty cell cycle "checkpoints" that don't respond effectively to DNA damage. The researchers found that the association was strongest in black women, with no association between the checkpoint and lung cancer risk found in whites. The study can be found in the October 15th issue of Cancer Research. Click for more information.

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Americans for Nonsmokers Rights launches websites focused on tobacco’s targeted populations
Americans for Nonsmokers Rights has launched websites containing information on secondhand smoke among the LGBT, African American, and Hispanic communities and how to involve these groups in campaign efforts. Click to access the site on the LGBT community; for the African American community; and for the Hispanic community.

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