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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Tobacco use, knowledge, attitude, and social impact of smoking among Asian Indian college students

Hormuz Nicolwala, BS1, Ranjita Misra, PhD1, and Kalpalatha Guntupalli, MD2. (1) Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, 979-845-8726, anicolwala@pol.net, (2) Pulmonary/Critical Care, Ben Taub Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1504 Taub loop, Houston, TX 77030

OBJECTIVE: Although immigrant South Asians who are acculturated and lived longer in the US are less likely to smoke, studies among college students are lacking. This national study examined the pattern of tobacco use, knowledge, attitude, and social impact of smoking among college students of Asian Indian origin, the largest South Asian and 3rd largest immigrant Asian subgroup in the US. METHODS: Respondents included 378 first- and second-generation college students (28% females and 72% males) who completed a 47 item on-line survey. Responses were voluntary and anonymous. RESULTS: Mean age of the respondents was 24.4 years; age of first smoking was >16 years with cigarettes as the preferred form of tobacco use. Although 39% had experimented with cigarette smoking, 19.3% reported current use (sometimes or regularly) of tobacco or tobacco related products. Gender differences were noted with significantly more males than females using tobacco and tobacco products, and a perception that female smokers are less attractive, have less number of friends, and lacks confidence. Acceptance was higher for male smokers than female smokers indicating a cultural bias. Respondents' understanding of adverse health effects of tobacco use were very good -the majority agreed that smoking is the most preventable cause of death (83%), causes lung cancer (92%), is an addiction (93%), and contains carcinogenic chemicals (93%). However, 28% agreed that spit tobacco is safer than smoking cigarettes. Results indicate there are potential areas for emphasis in educational efforts targeted to this population to curtail the use of tobacco products.

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