Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and Tobacco Use

Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death for AA & NHPIs. Although national tobacco use data often indicates AA & NHPIs have the lowest smoking prevalence among all ethnic groups in the U.S., local studies have shown there are high rates in certain AA & NHPI ethnic subgroups (i.e. 48-72% among Laotian men and 42% among Native Hawaiian men). National aggregated data often fails to recognize the diversity among AA & NHPIs and by doing so disguises the true impact of tobacco in the community.

Tobacco companies aggressively market their products to AA & NHPI communities both in the U.S. and overseas.¹
Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death for all groups, including AA & NHPIs.²
Smoking prevalence is highest in the U.S among males in certain AA & NHPI ethnic groups (e.g., Laotian, Samoan, Cambodian).³
Tobacco use is high among both male and female Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. In some Pacific Island jurisdictions, chewing tobacco is commonly mixed with betel nut.⁴
The smoking rate for Asian Americans increases seven-fold from middle school (4.4%) to high school (33.1%), the highest increase for any ethnic group.⁵

References:
2. Lew, R. & Tanjasiri, S. P. (2003). Slowing the epidemic of tobacco use among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.Am J Public Health, 93(5): 764–768.
3. Office of Minority and Multicultural Health. (2000). The health of minorities in New Jersey, Part III. Trenton, NJ: Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
4. Lew, R. & Tanjasiri, S. P. (2003). Slowing the epidemic of tobacco use among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Am J Public Health, 93(5): 764–768.
5. National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, 2005; American Legacy Foundation. National Youth Tobacco Survey. Washington, DC, 2000.

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