Disaggregated Asian American Cigarette and Alternative Tabaco Product Use: Results from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2006-2018
Published in Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2021
Recommended citation: Manaeha R.; Lily B.; Yunnan Y.; Malathi S.; MD, Arnab M. DrPH, MPH; Jiang L., PhD, MPH; Sukyung C. PhD; Siddharth V.; **Shozen D.**; Latha P., MD, MS (2009). "Disaggregated Asian American Cigarette and Alternative Tabaco Product Use: Results from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2006-2018" Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
Abstract
Introduction
Asian Americans suffer high rates of smoking and tobacco-related deaths, varying by subgroup. Cigarette and alternative tobacco use amongst Asians specifically considering subgroup, sex, and nativity are infrequently reported.
Methods
Using National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2006-2018 and the 2016-2018 alternative tobacco supplement (e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes), we explored cigarette and tobacco use by subgroup (Asian Indian (n = 4373), Chinese (n = 4736), Filipino (n = 4912)) in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs (n = 275,025)), adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic factors.
Results
Among 289,046 adults aged 18 and over, 12% of Filipinos were current smokers, twice the prevalence in Asian Indians and Chinese (p<0.001). The male-female gender difference was five-fold for Chinese (10.3% versus 2.2%; p<0.001), eight-fold for Asian Indians (8.7% versus 1.1%; p<0.001), and two-fold for Filipinos (16.8% versus 9.0%). 16.3% of US-born and 10.3% of foreign-born Filipinos were current smokers. Odds of Chinese ever using e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipes were lower than NHWs (ORs 0.6, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.5).
Discussion
Filipinos had the highest current smoking rates of Asian subgroups. While more Asian men were current smokers, high current smoking among Filipinas is concerning. More US-born Filipinos were current smokers than foreign-born, despite rates typically decreasing for US-born Asians. Investigating cultural aspects contributing to less frequent use of tobacco products, such as alternative tobacco products among Chinese, may aid campaigns in curbing tobacco usage.
Keywords: Asian American; Tobacco; E-cigarettes; Smoking; National Health Interview Survey
Recommended citation: Manaeha R., Lily B., Yunnan Y., et al. (2009). “Disaggregated Asian American Cigarette and Alternative Tabaco Product Use: Results from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2006-2018” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.