Asians and Pacific Islanders make up nearly 6 percent of the Washington population, and are primarily located in the South Puget Sound region. In 2006-2008 the combined average smoking among Asians and Pacific Islander adults was about 9.8 percent, compared to the overall state average of about 16.3 percent for the same years. When further separated, about 8.4 percent of Asian and 15.6 percent of Pacific Islander adults smoke. Among Asian/Pacific Islander adults, smokeless tobacco prevalence (1.4%) appears to be less than the state as a whole (3.2%).  Cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use among 10th grade Asian/Pacific Island youth in 2008 was significantly lower the non-Hispanic white population. Looking at the groups separately, Asian 10th graders had lower cigarette and smokeless tobacco use rates than non-Hispanic whites. However, among Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Island 10th graders, they had similar use rates compared to non-Hispanic whites. The percentage of Asian/Pacific Islander women smoking during pregnancy in 2007 was significantly lower (3.2%) than the state as a whole (10.1%).

Asian/Pacific Islanders appear to be at lower risk for lung cancer, which is strongly associated with smoking. Asian/Pacific Islanders have a significantly lower incidence of lung and bronchus cancer (51.2 per 100,000 population in 2004-2006 combined) than Washington State (67.0 per 100,000 population) as a whole.* Asian/Pacific Islanders also have a significantly lower rate of trachea, lung and bronchus cancer mortality in comparison to the general population. For 2004-2006 combined, the trachea lung and bronchus cancer mortality rate was 51.3 per 100,000 among the general population and 36.9 per 100,000 among the Asian/Pacific Islander population.

Asian and Pacific Islander communities are comprised of a number of diverse ethnic sub-populations, so tobacco control efforts must consider the specific needs and cultures of these communities rather than attempting to address “Asians and Pacific Islanders” as a general population.

* Rate per 100,000 age-adjusted to U.S. population.
 

Challenges

The comparatively low prevalence of current smoking among Asian/Pacific Islanders can be deceptive. Tobacco use varies significantly between sub-populations, and between men and women within these communities.  The low overall “Asian and Pacific Islander” prevalence probably masks high use rates among males within specific sub-groups.  A King County study, for example, found very high rates of smoking among Korean and Vietnamese men.  The lower risk for health impacts of smoking may also be misleading for similar reasons related to subgroup smoking prevalence.

The comparatively small number of Asian/Pacific Islander respondents included in state surveys limits the precision of estimates to describe their tobacco use.

Source: Census 2000, 2006-2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2008 Healthy Youth Survey
(HYS), Washington State Birth Certificate data (2007), Washington State Death records (2004-2006), and the
Washington State Cancer Registry (WSCR, 2004-2006)

Future directions

The state Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) is contracting with Washington Asian-Pacific Islander Families Against Substance Abuse (WAPIFASA) to coordinate statewide activities within these communities.  WAPIFASA has hired a person to coordinate and support coalition efforts of APICAT (Asian Pacific Islander Communities Against Tobacco) to plan, implement and evaluate activities in Asian-Pacific Islander communities. APICAT is created a strategic plan for their communities and are seeking ways to partner with TPCP county, Educational Service District and other cross cultural contractors to reduce tobacco use in this community across the state.