Tobacco Use Among South Asian Immigrants in the Northeastern US
Author Information
Author(s): Delnevo Cristine D., Steinberg Michael B., Hudson Shawna V., Ulpe Rajiv, DiPaola Robert S.
Primary Institution: UMDNJ-School of Public Health and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Hypothesis
What are the patterns of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use among South Asians in New Jersey and the Northeast?
Conclusion
Tobacco use rates among South Asians are generally lower than the overall population, but there are significant differences within the group, particularly between Pakistanis and Indians.
Supporting Evidence
- South Asian males in New Jersey have the highest rates of smokeless tobacco use at 2.7%.
- Pakistani males are overrepresented among cigarette smokers, while Indian males are more likely to use smokeless tobacco.
- Disaggregating data by country of origin is necessary to understand tobacco use behaviors among South Asians.
Takeaway
This study looks at how South Asians in the Northeast use tobacco, finding that some groups use it more than others, and we need to pay attention to these differences to help people quit.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, focusing on South Asian tobacco use in New Jersey and the Northeast.
Potential Biases
The aggregation of South Asians into a broad category may mask important subgroup differences in tobacco use.
Limitations
The study is limited to the Northeast, and the sample size for certain demographics, especially females, is small.
Participant Demographics
The study included South Asian adults, with a higher proportion of males and a significant number of first-generation Americans.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 3.7–9.4 for White males; 95% CI = 1.5–10.6 for South Asian males
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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