While Hispanic smoking rates are low overall, differences exist within Hispanic subgroups that are masked when surveys group Hispanics as a single population. For example, according to combined NHIS data from 2009-2013, 21.6 percent of Puerto Ricans, 18.2 percent of Cubans, 13 percent of Mexicans, and 9.2 percent of Central or South Americans are current smokers (the overall smoking prevalence for Hispanics during this time period was 13.5%) In addition, smoking rates are significantly higher for U.S.-born Hispanics than for foreign-born Hispanics in the U.S. A 2014 study of Hispanics/Latinos in Chicago, Miami, San Diego and the Bronx found current smoking rates as high as 35% among Puerto Rican men (32.6% for women) and 31.3% for Cuban men (21.9% for women) Smoking rates are also higher among Hispanics of lower socioeconomic status.
In 2019, the overall current smoking rate for high school students was 5.8 percent. Among Hispanic youth, 3.8 percent of Hispanic high school students were current smokers. Current smoking rates for Hispanic high school students are lower than the rates of White students (9.9%). E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among Hispanic high school students. 23.2 percent of Hispanic high school students currently use e-cigarettes, which is lower than the rate of White students (32.4%), but higher than the e-cigarette use rate for African American students (17.7%). Smokeless tobacco use is lower among Hispanic students (2.6%) than White students (6.5%). Overall, one in four (25.4%) Hispanic high school students are current users of any tobacco product.
For free help quitting smoking and vaping call 1-800-QUIT-NOW from a Nevada area code or
1-855-Déjelo -Ya (1-855-335-3569).
Resources:
For more information on Hispanic/Latino tobacco use visit our tobacco pages on Vivasaludable.org.
Did you know that in comparison to other ethnic groups Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders have one of the highest smoking rates compared to others.
Sad but true, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Asian Americans/ Native Hawaiian’s and Pacific Islanders. In fact, Hawaiian men and women have the highest rates of lung cancer deaths in comparison to other ethnic groups.
And it’s not just cigarettes. Nationally, the current use of e-cigarettes/ Vapes was highest among native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders at 18%. In Nevada that rate was 30.7%. It isn’t just adults, according to the National Youth Tobacco Surveys 32.5 % of Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander high school students reported current tobacco use compared with 23% of white high school students surveyed, 15.8% of blacks, 19.6% of Hispanic high school students and 7.4% of Asians.
Furthermore, during 2014–2017, ever-use of any tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students was as follows: Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders (45.1%), Native American and Alaskan Natives (43.8%), multiracial persons (38.2%), Hispanics (35.1%), blacks (32.3%), whites (32.0%), and Asians (16.3%). Current use of any tobacco product was as follows: Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders (23.4%), Native American and Alaskan Natives (20.6%), multiracial persons (16.5%), whites (15.3%), Hispanics (14.6%), blacks (11.5%), and Asians (5.0%).
To learn more about Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders tobacco use visit:
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
808 No Vape
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Article
The 2023 Nevada Statewide Adult Tobacco Survey reports that 18.2% of African American adults in Nevada smoke cigarettes. Nationally, around 11.7% of African American adults in the U.S. are smokers, and nearly 45,000 die each year from smoking-related illnesses, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Although African Americans smoke less than other populations, they have higher mortality rates from tobacco-related diseases. This issue also affects youth. According to the 2021 Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey, among African American high school students in Nevada:
African Americans are heavily targeted by tobacco marketing, which makes smoking seem more attractive and significantly influences decisions about tobacco use. This targeting increases the likelihood of both trying smoking for the first time and becoming a regular user. African American neighborhoods often have more stores selling tobacco products. Tobacco companies also use discounts, multi-pack coupons, and actively promote their products at events and activities primarily attended by African Americans.
The tobacco industry aggressively targets African American communities with menthol product advertising. Between 70% and 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, which are often the first type they try. Menthol makes smoking easier to start and harder to quit, leading to higher addiction rates and increased health risks. Menthol-flavored vape liquids can also conceal harmful aerosols and preserve nicotine, posing risks similar to those of cigarettes. Youth who use menthol and other flavored tobacco products, including vapes, are more likely to develop chronic smoking habits, nicotine addiction, and experience harm to their developing brains.
While menthol smokers attempt to quit more often, they face greater challenges, potentially due to stronger nicotine effects and societal barriers encountered by Black communities. Despite these challenges, most smokers want to quit, with more than half attempts each year. Among Black adults who smoke, about 73% want to quit, highlighting the need for targeted anti-smoking campaigns and support, and banning menthol in all tobacco and vape products.
Black Lives / Black Lungs is a compelling short film that investigates the tobacco industry’s successful infiltration into the Black community. Created by filmmaker and progressive communications strategist Lincoln Mondy, the film sheds light on how the tobacco industry has targeted African Americans with menthol tobacco products. Watch the full 15-minute short film below.
It’s time to reject tobacco and menthol’s grip on the Black community. For free help quitting smoking and vaping, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or text QUITNOW to 333888.
To learn more visit www.becausewematterlv.org
Resource: Tobacco Use Among African Americans
Nevada Statewide Adult Tobacco Survey 2023
African American Health Burden From Commercial Tobacco
Recent data indicates that the use of hookah and e-cigarettes is on the rise among teenagers. The “vaping” trend has resulted in many young adults trying tobacco products for the first time, unaware of the health consequences. BreakDown’s goal is to educate teens on the dangers of both hookah and electronic devices.
BreakDown’s youth-led street teams participate in school outreach and teen-focused community events, and use social media to spread awareness.
Learn more about e-cigarette use in middle and high school students.
To learn more, visit www.BreakDownRiseUp.com or call (702) 759-1265.
In 2006, the Southern Nevada Health District developed a tobacco prevention program called CRUSH for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. This innovative program was developed after the 2005 Clark County Adult Tobacco Survey revealed an alarmingly high smoking rate among LGBT community members. The LGBT community continues to have disproportionately high smoking rates compared to other groups.
The CRUSH campaign’s numerous outreach strategies include hosting smoke-free LGBT activities, sponsoring community events, and advertising in local LGBT media.
To learn more, visit www.socrush.com or call (702) 759-1265.
Created in 2000, the Southern Nevada Health District’s XPOZ (pronounced “expose”) tobacco prevention coalition has grown from 30 members (ages 13-17) to over 30,000 in 2016. XPOZ conducts numerous youth tobacco prevention outreach activities and is committed to further reducing tobacco use among Clark County youth who identify with the alternative music scene.
Prior to the development of XPOZ, Clark County youth smoking rates were consistently high at nearly 35%. Since the coalition was formed, youth smoking rates in Clark County have decreased* from 30% in 1999 to just under 3% in 2023.
To learn more, visit www.xpozlv.com or call (702) 759-1265.
