Smoking prevalence and correlates among Chinese- and Filipino-American adults: Findings from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey

Objectives We report prevalence rates and correlates of cigarette smoking among a population-based sample of Chinese- and Filipino-American adults together with rates found in other racial/ethnic groups in California. Methods All analyses are based on the 2001 California Health Interview Survey. Results The proportion of current smokers among males was lowest among Chinese Americans (14%), followed by Non-Hispanic Whites (19%), Hispanics (20%), African Americans (22%), Filipino Americans (24%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (29%), and Pacific Islanders (32%). The proportion of current smokers among females was lowest among Chinese Americans (6%), followed by Hispanics (8%), Filipino Americans (11%), Non-Hispanic Whites (17%), African Americans (20%), Pacific Islander (21%), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (32%). Smoking rates were higher among foreign-born versus U.S.-born Asian males. CHIS data show an opposite effect among Asian women: acculturation to the U.S. is associated with increased smoking prevalence rates. Multivariate analyses with Chinese and Filipino respondents showed that the likelihood of smoking varied among foreign-born versus U.S.-born men (OR 2.59 for Chinese, 1.42 for Filipino, 2.01 for all Asian men combined) and for foreign-born versus U.S.-born women (OR 0.41 for Chinese, 0.38 for Filipino, and 0.59 for all Asian women combined). Conclusion Public health intervention efforts should take into account Asian ethnic subgroup, gender, and acculturation status in targeting high-risk smoking groups.