Hispanic and Tobacco in Washington - WA State Dept. of Health

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Hispanics and Tobacco in Washington

Summary

Hispanic and Latino individuals of any race make up about 7.5 percent of the Washington population, and are located in both Eastern and Western

Washington. Current smoking among Hispanics was about 16.8 percent in 2005. This is similar to the state rate of about 17.8 percent in 2005. Historically, smoking prevalence is lower among Spanish-speaking Hispanics. Recent data showed that about 13.8 percent of Spanish speaking adults smoke cigarettes in 2005 compared to 20.1 percent of English speaking adults. Among Hispanic adults, smokeless tobacco prevalence (1.2%) appears to be less than the state as a whole (3%). Cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use among 10th grade Hispanic youth in 2004 was similar to the non-Hispanic white population. The percentage of Hispanic women smoking during pregnancy in 2004 was significantly lower (3.3%) than the state as a whole (10.2%). This has been consistent for the past several years.

Hispanics appear to be at lower risk for lung cancer, which is strongly associated with smoking. Hispanics have a significantly lower incidence of lung and bronchus cancer (45.6 per 100,000 population in 2001-2003m combined) than Washington State (69.6 per 100,000 population) as a whole.* Hispanics also have a significantly lower rate of trachea, lung and bronchus cancer mortality in comparison to the general population. For 2001-2003 combined, the trachea, lung and bronchus cancer mortality rate was 55.2 per 100,000 among the general population and 24.8 per 100,000 among the Hispanic population.

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

Challenges

Hispanics are diverse in acculturation – the extent to which they have assimilated to the mainstream culture of Washington State. Large numbers of migrant farm workers follow agricultural seasons across the state, and may not speak English or have access to healthcare and educational systems. These “less acculturated” groups may be more difficult to reach with health education messages and services.

Tobacco Facts for Washington's Hispanics

Size of population in Washington State	441,509
Percent of state population	7.5%

Prevalence of adults who currently smoke	16.8%
Prevalence of adults who currently use smokeless tobacco	1.2%

Prevalence of 10^th-grade youth who currently smoke	11.5%
Prevalence of 10^th-grade youth who currently use smokeless tobacco	4.6%

Number of infants born annually to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy	470

Prevalence of smoking among pregnant women	3.3%

Age-adjusted Mortality rate per 100,000 population, Cancer of the Trachea, Lung and Bronchus, 2001-2003 combined	24.8

Source: Census 2000, 2005 BRFSS, 2004 Healthy Youth Survey (HYS), Washington State Birth Certificate
data (2004), Washington State Death records (2001-2003), and the Washington State Cancer Registry
(WSCR, 2001-2003)

Future directions

The state Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) is contracting with Washington Association of Community and Migrant Health Centers (WACMHC) to coordinate statewide activities within these communities. WACMHC has hired a person to recruit and coordinate a community advisory board and the work of county-based Latino subcontractors and coalitions in six counties. WACMHC and its advisory board 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.

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Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
Department of Health
111 Israel Rd
Tumwater WA 98501

Mailing Address:
PO BOX 47848
Olympia WA 98504-7848

Fax: (360) 236-3646

Last Update : 12/18/2006 11:08 AM
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