Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander People Experience a Health Burden From Commercial Tobacco

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In 2020, an estimated 8% of Asian adults smoked cigarettes.

Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (A/NH/PI) communities are diverse—made up of people from more than 50 different ethnic and language groups. In general, A/NH/PI adults smoke cigarettes at a lower prevalence than other racial groups; however, this varies based on the country of heritage.1

In 2020, an estimated 8% of Asian adults smoked cigarettes.

Reporting A/NH/PI population groups as one combined group is only one way to estimate the behaviors of A/NH/PI populations as it relates to commercial tobacco* use. When possible, by studying tobacco product use separately among each of these populations, we can better identify tobacco product use patterns in each group. For example:

  • In 2019, an estimated 18.7% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults smoked cigarettes in the past year, compared to 11.5% of Asian adults.2
  • In 2014-2017, 45% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander middle and high school students reported ever using any tobacco product, compared to 16.3% of Asian middle and high school students.3
  • Differences in cigarette smoking are seen among diverse Asian population groups.4 For instance, during 2010–2013, 7.6% of Chinese American adults smoked cigarettes, compared to 20% of Korean American adults.5

Commercial tobacco creates challenges in achieving health equity for all people, including for A/NH/PI. A/NH/PI people experience negative health effects related to the use of commercial tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes).

head heart ribbin

The two leading causes of death among A/NH/PI adults are cancer and heart disease.7 Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing these two conditions.8

90% of lung cancer is from smoking

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among A/NH/PI adults.9 Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body and, along with secondhand smoke exposure, can cause nearly 90% of all lung cancer deaths.8

Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking Among Asian People in America (2010-2013)6
Population Group Smoking Prevalence
Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking Among Asians in America (2010-2013) <sup>6</sup
Chinese 7.6%
Asian Indian 7.6%
Japanese 10.2%
Filipino 12.6%
Vietnamese 16.3%
Korean 20.0%
*“Commercial tobacco” means harmful products that are made and sold by tobacco companies. It does not include “traditional tobacco” used by Indigenous groups for religious or ceremonial purposes.
Next Section: Unfair and Unjust Practices Harm Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander People and Drive Health Disparities >
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