ABSTRACT
Tobacco use is a major public health risk in most of the developing countries of the world. Many immigrant populations carry this behavior to America. In this screening study of 6164 Arab American adults, 1796 identified themselves as either current or former smokers; 946 agreed to complete a tobacco use survey [53% response rate]. The majority were male [80%]; married [77%]; born in the Middle East [97%]; had been in the USA more than five years [67%]; had not finished high school [54%], had annual incomes of less than $10,000.00 [66%], and carried no health insurance [54%]. Significantly more men than women started smoking before 15 years and smoked more cigarettes per day; most women started after aged 20. Early age of initiation was the most powerful predictor of current smoking status [OR = 25.82]. Former smokers were two times more likely to be males and 2.24 times more likely to have been in the United States less than 5 years. Of those currently smoking, 91% wanted to quit and 94% wanted smoking cessation programs. Significant differences were found between current and former smokers and between men and women in this exploratory study. Current smokers were male, in the USA longer, and began smoking before age 15. Men smoked more years and more cigarettes. More rigorous research is needed. Intervention efforts must be focused on smoking prevention or cessation in this and other immigrant populations