Research

Disparities in smoking between the lesbian, gay and bisexual population and the general population in California
A new study, soon to be published in the American Journal of Public Health, confirms that California’s lesbian, gay and bisexual populations smoke at a much higher rate than the general population in California. Researchers compared the results of a 2003-2004 tobacco survey of people who self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual to the results of a 2002 survey of the general population. They report that 12 percent of women in the general population smoke, compared to 29 percent of lesbians and 27 percent of bisexual women. Ten percent of men in the general population reported being current smokers, compared to 27 percent of gay men. The study authors call for more research, particularly in regards to reasons for smoking, to enable the creation of culturally sensitive interventions. To read more, click here.

Understanding tobacco use among Filipino American men
New research examines the poorly-understood knowledge and attitudes, quitting efforts and smoking cessation preferences of Filipino American men. Researchers interviewed 318 men from Los Angeles County to inform the development of a tailored cessation program. They found that smokers were less educated and acculturated and made less money than non-smokers. Additionally, smokers were more likely to agree that smoking relieves stress, depression, and boredom and that it is a natural part of socializing and being a man. Most participants stated they would prefer a cessation program consisting of small groups of Filipino men and that the program be given exclusively in Tagalog. To read more the abstract of the article recently published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, click here.

Prevalence of American Indian adolescent tobacco use: 1993-2004
A recently published study compares tobacco use rates among American Indian adolescents to rates among non-Indian adolescents. Researchers used data from a long-term surveillance project of Indian youth and from the Monitoring the Future Project during the years of 1993 to 2004. Primary results indicate that, while tobacco use rates are higher among American Indian youth, they mirror the significant national decreases that have occurred over the last three years. Additionally, American Indian youth perceived tobacco as less harmful than non-Indian youth. Finally, American Indian females had higher rates of lifetime and daily smoking than Indian males, although this difference is diminishing. Click here to access the study abstract, published in Substance Use and Misuse.

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