Tobacco Use Among Hispanics in California

Institution:	University of California, San Diego
Investigator(s):	Ana Navarro, Ph.D.
Award Cycle:	1994 (Cycle 3)	Grant #: 3KT-0031	Award: $138,919
Subject Area:	Public Health, Public Policy, and Economics
Award Type:	New Investigator Awards

Abstracts

Initial Award Abstract

Hispanics constitute the second largest minority group in the United States of America. Approximately, one-third of the total Hispanic population in the United States resides in California, and 25.8 percent of the population in California is of Hispanic origin. Despite the growing importance of this group, little is known about major health-related behaviors such as tobacco use. Data on the prevalence of smoking are limited and reliable data on smoking trends among Hispanics are not available. This is especially important given the increasing efforts throughout the U.S., and particularly in the State of California, to prevent tobacco use, to promote smoking cessation and to implement policies aimed at restricting smoking behavior.

This research project addresses the following issues: (1) Prevalence of current tobacco use among Hispanics, (2) Knowledge about the health risks of tobacco and attitudes toward smoking, (3) Exposure to tobacco control programs, (4) Trends in tobacco use, in knowledge about the risks of smoking, in attitudes toward smoking, and in exposure to tobacco control programs, and (5) Impact of cultural characteristics of Hispanics on tobacco use and cessation.

In order to address these issues, we have analyzed data from the 1990 and 1992 California Tobacco Surveys (CTS). The CTS provides the unique opportunity to derive estimates for smoking prevalence and smoking trends based on a representative sample of Hispanics in the State of California. Moreover, CTS also collects comprehensive data on socio-demographic and psycho-social variables as well as on exposure to specific intervention and smoking prevention programs. The results of both the 1990 and the 1992 California Tobacco Survey show higher smoking prevalence and high tobacco dependence (1) for men than for women, (2) for individuals who have not finished high school, (3) for Non-Hispanics when compared to Hispanics, and (4) for Hispanics of high level acculturation when compared to Hispanics of low level of acculturation. More, our results suggest higher level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites.

The data suggest that intervention providing assistance to help smokers quit smoking is most needed for Hispanic males with 12 years or less of formal education. The findings also underline the importance of programs aiming at prevention of smoking uptake targeting the Hispanic population of California, especially women and Hispanics of low level of acculturation. Furthermore, interventions are needed that decrease the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among Hispanics.

Publications

Cigarette smoking among adult latinos: the California tobacco baseline survey
Periodical: Annals of Behavioral Medicine			Index Medicus:
Authors: Navarro AM				ART
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Cigarette smoking among adult Latinos: The California Tobacco Baseline Survey
Periodical: Annals of Behavioral Medicine			Index Medicus:
Authors: Navarro AM				ART
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Cigarette smoking among adult latinos: the California tobacco baseline survey
Periodical: Annals of Behavioral Medicine			Index Medicus:
Authors: Navarro AM				ART
Yr: 0	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg:

Cigarette smoking among adult Latinos: The California Tobacco Baseline Survey
Periodical: Annals of Behavioral Medicine			Index Medicus:
Authors: Navarro AM				ART
Yr: 0	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: