Cigarette smoking causes a half million premature deaths annually in the United States, however information characterizing smoking behaviors generally lacks specificity for racial/ethnic groups. To characterize smoking and other risk behaviors more fully for program planning efforts, this study's purpose was to analyze the association between Hispanic ethnicity and cigarette smoking beliefs and behavior. Methods: Data are from a telephone survey of adults over aged 18 in New Jersey. The sample size consisted of 416 randomly selected self-identified Hispanic adults, 11.6% of the total population sampled. Results: The results of this study show that 17.3% (95% CI, 13.4-21.1%) of the Hispanic population currently smokes. Male smoking rates are higher than females, 21.7% versus 13.2%. Adults aged 18-44 year olds smoking rates are the highest compared to the older age groups. Acculturation was a good predictor of smoking behavior in Hispanics, more acculturated adults smoked at significantly higher rates. Hispanics are also less likely to have made a serious quit attempt than White adults and of those who have tried to quit, 74% of Hispanic smokers failed.Conclusion: The data confirms that ethnicity must be considered in smoking studies and cessation and prevention programs that target Hispanic populations must be sensitive to values and specific acculturation processes that create a discrepancy between the desire to adopt lifestyles of the dominant society and the recognition of the concomitant health-related risks.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to: 1. Describe the prevalence of cigarette smoking and articulate the predictors of smoking among Hispanics in New Jersey. 2. Identify the barriers of the Hispanic community in relation to tobacco prevention and cessation. 3. Prioritize Hispanics as a subgroup in need of tobacco interventions.
Keywords: Tobacco, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.