Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108754

Jiunn-Jye Sheu, MSPH, PhD, CHES¹, W. William Chen, PhD², and Delores C.S. James, PhD, RD, LD². (1) Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, FLG 5, Stadium Road, PO Box 118210, Gainesville, FL 32611-8210, 352-3920583, jjsheu@hhp.ufl.edu, (2) Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, FLG 5, Stadium Road, PO Box 118210, Gainesville, FL 32611-8210

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of tobacco use, types of tobacco products used, and their knowledge and attitudes toward tobacco among Asian American college students at nine universities and eight community colleges in Florida. Data were collected during 2002-2003 using the Florida Annual College Tobacco Survey (FACTS). One hundred forty one students responded to the survey. Survey results indicate most students (65%) experimented with tobacco. Most of the respondents tried cigarettes (62%), cloves (26%), cigars (23%), Black N' Mild (21%), smokeless tobacco (5%), and pipe (9%) in their lifetime. The past 30 days prevalence of cigarette, cigar, Black N' Mild, Clove, Pipe, and chewing tobacco were 19%, 4%, 6%, 6%, 4%, and 1%, respectively. The past 12 months prevalence of using cigarette, cigar, Black N' Mild, Clove, Pipe, and chewing tobacco were 27%, 12%, 11%, 9%, 6%, and 3%, respectively. The mean ages of first attempt tobacco products were between 15.5 and 17 years old. Survey results show high level of awareness on tobacco influence on health and negative attitudes toward tobacco use in public areas. The survey results show moderate risk in tobacco use among other racial groups.

Learning Objectives: The audiences will be able to

• Identify the prevalence of tobacco use among Asian American college students
• Identify the age of first attempt tobacco products among Asian American college students
• Identify the awareness of health influence and attitudes toward tobacco use

Keywords: Asian Americans, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.