Age at Migration and Smoking among Korean American Male Immigrants in California

Background. Age at migration has been recognized as important correlates of health behaviors among Asians because it captures different developmental phases of the immigrants. However, very little is known about its effect on smoking among Korean immigrant men despite their higher smoking prevalence compared to other Asians or ethnic minority groups.

Objective. This study examined effects of age at migration on ever smoking and age of regular smoking onset among probability sample of Korean American male immigrants residing in California.

Methods. Telephone interviews with two representative samples of Koreans in California were conducted between 2001-2002 and 2005-2006. A total of 850 Korean American male adults who were 18 years or older and did not initiate smoking until immigrating to the U.S. were included in the analyses.

Results. Logistic regression analyses showed that age at migration was negatively associated with ever smoking controlling for age, acculturation, education, and survey. Acculturation, age, survey were negatively related to ever smoking while age was positively associated with ever smoking. Younger age at migration was also associated with younger age of regular smoking onset after controlling for age, acculturation, education, and survey in linear regression analyses conducted with ever smokers.

Conclusions. The study findings suggest that protective effects of older age at migration on ever smoking and age of regular smoking onset among male Korean immigrants in California. Future interventions for this population should target adolescents who immigrated at younger age and continue through early adulthood for those who immigrated after 18.