Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

, Volume 12, Issue 2, pp 215–220 | Cite as

Knowledge of Tobacco Control Policies Among U.S. Southeast Asians

  • Robynn S. Battle
  • Juliet P. Lee
  • Tamar M. J. Antin
Original Paper
First Online:

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.

Keywords

Tobacco Public health policy Immigrants Asian Americans 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

The research and preparation of this manuscript were made possible by a grant from the University of California Office of the President’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP #13RT-0058). The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Southeast Asian Youth and Families Alliance of West Contra Costa County and interviewers Vanphone Anlavan, Tamar Antin, Ratha Chuon, Phoenix Jackson, Sean Kirkpatrick, Brian Soller, Sang Saephan, Vannaro Tep, Phaeng Toomally and Somchit “Ping Pong” Vilaisouk.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Robynn S. Battle
    • 1
  • Juliet P. Lee
    • 1
  • Tamar M. J. Antin
    • 1
  1. 1.Prevention Research CenterBerkeleyUSA

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