Health Disparities and Tobacco Use

American Indians and Alaska Natives are the group with the highest prevalence of tobacco users followed by African American and Southeast Asian men. The groups with the lowest prevalence of smoking are Asian American and Hispanic women.

This difference in the prevalence of smokers among each ethnic group can be attributed to many factors including: socioeconomic status, cultural factors, stress, advertising that is more often target to certain populations, as well as an individual’s community tobacco control initiatives.

Source:
Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (). “Highlights: At A Glance.Surgeon General’s Report: Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.