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Abstract #159352

Robynn S. Battle, EdD, MPH, Juliet Lee, PhD, and Tamar Antin, MA. Prevention Research Center, 1995 University Ave, Ste. 450, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-883-5765, rbattle@prev.org

In recent decades, California has lead the nation in tobacco control efforts, with high taxes on tobacco products and state laws prohibiting, for example, tobacco advertising in various settings, tobacco sales to minors and smoking in workplaces and other public spaces. Currently, California has the second lowest adult and third lowest adolescent smoking rate in the nation. California also has the highest percent of foreign-born residents of any U.S. state. It is unclear to what degree these tobacco control policies are impacting such immigrant groups, particularly the more culturally and linguistically isolated groups. Researchers at the Prevention Research Center in Berkeley have been conducting a study of tobacco norms and practices among two generations of California Southeast Asians. Tobacco control policies in Asia have been weak or nonexistent until very recently, and smoking rates as high as 70% among U.S. Southeast Asians have been reported. We conducted in-depth in-person interviews with 164 respondents aged 15-88 (mean age 37.3). The sample was stratified by smoking status (smoker or nonsmoker) as well as gender and generation in the U.S. (first or second). Interviews were conducted in English, Laotian or Khmer, translated and transcribed for analysis. Preliminary findings indicate that awareness and knowledge of tobacco control policies was high overall among both generations. Attitudes towards these policies, however, varied by generation. The findings indicate that attitudes towards law and control may be as important as access to information in shaping compliance with tobacco control policies, and potential reductions in tobacco use.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the qualitative research methods used to document attitudes and norms regarding tobacco policies.
• Understand attitudes and norms that might prohibit a culturally and linguistically isolated group from adhering to tobacco policies.
• Discuss health education strategies that may enhance compliance with tobacco control policies.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Immigrants

Related Web page: www.prev.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization	Clinical/Research Area	Type of relationship
Prevention Research Center	Social Science	Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.