Knowledge of tobacco control policies among U.S. Southeast Asians

Abstract

Some of the highest smoking rates in the U.S. have been reported among Southeast Asians. The largest numbers of Southeast Asians reside in California. While California has a comprehensive and generally effective tobacco control program, it is unclear how immigrant groups learn of this public health effort. In a study of tobacco norms and practices among two generations of Southeast Asians we collected qualitative data on respondents' knowledge and awareness of tobacco control policies. Data were collected through in-person interviews with 164 respondents aged 15-87, evenly divided by smoking status, gender and generation in the U.S. Due to multiple sources of knowledge, general awareness of tobacco control policies and of secondhand smoke were high among both generations of Southeast Asians and the policies were attributed with changes in smoking behavior. Tobacco control regulations may be an effective means to impact tobacco use among immigrants with limited English proficiency.