African Americans and Tobacco Use

Each year, approximately 45,000 African Americans die from a preventable smoking-related disease.¹
Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancers. African American men are at least 50% more likely to develop lung cancer than white men.¹
More than 25% of African-American youth are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.²
Eleven percent (11%) of African American middle school students and 17% of African American high school students smoke.²
The tobacco industry attempts to maintain a positive image and public support among African Americans by supporting cultural events and making contributions to minority higher education institutions, elected officials, civic and community organizations, and scholarship programs.¹
African Americans are among the most likely to report wanting to quit and making a quit attempt. However, fewer African American smokers have successfully quit than smokers of other races/ethnicities.¹

1 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. African Americans and Tobacco. 2003
2 - American Legacy Foundation. Tobacco and African Americans. 2003

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