The impact of acculturation on smoking in Asian American homes

This study examined the relationship between acculturation and smoking in Asian American homes and the factors that predict whether Asian Americans have family members or visitors smoking in the horde. A sample of 1,374 participants was selected using a stratified-cluster proportional sampling technique. Overall, 38.3% were exposed to secondhand smoke in their home and 33.7% allowed smoking by visitors. Vietnamese had the significantly highest rates of smoking in the home (44.9%), followed by Cambodians (43.8%), Koreans (42.0%), and Chinese (29.7%). The independent variables that predicted smoking in the home were living in the United States five or fewer years, less acculturation, being female, being foreign born, having a family size of four or more, being Korean, Vietnamese, or Cambodian, and being smokers. The same variables predicted allowing visitors to smoke in the home, excluding being female. Protective factors included being more educated, being older, and having children under 18 at home.