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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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1998 Surgeon General's Report—Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups
Hispanics and Tobacco
Disclaimer
Highlights
Health Effects
- Smoking is responsible for 87% of the lung cancer deaths in the
United States. Overall, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among
Hispanics.
- Lung cancer deaths are about three times higher for Hispanic men
(23.1 per 100,000) than for Hispanic women (7.7 per 100,000). The rate of lung
cancer deaths per 100,000 were higher among Cuban-American men (33.7) than among
Puerto-Rican (28.3) and Mexican-American (21.9) men.
- Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for Hispanics
living in the United States. Among Hispanic subgroups in 1992–1994, death
rates for coronary heart disease were 82 per 100,000 for Mexican-American men and
44.2 per 100,000 for Mexican-American women, 118.6 per 100,000 for Puerto-Rican men
and 67.3 per 100,000 for Puerto-Rican women, and 95.2 per 100,000 for Cuban men and
42.4 per 100,000 for Cuban women.
Prevalence of Other Forms of Tobacco Use
- Aggregated National Health Interview Survey data from 1987 and
1991 show that more Cuban-American men (2.5%) smoked cigars than Mexican-American
(1.5%) and Puerto-Rican (1.3%) men.
Tobacco Industry Influence
- Tobacco products are advertised and promoted disproportionately
to racial/ethnic minority communities. Examples of target promotions include the
introduction of a cigarette product with the brand name "Rio" and an
earlier cigarette product named "Dorado," which was advertised and
marketed to the Hispanic-American community.
- To increase its credibility in the Hispanic community, the
tobacco industry has contributed to programs that aim to enhance the primary
and secondary education of children, has funded universities and colleges,
and has supported scholarship programs targeting Hispanics. Tobacco companies
have also placed advertising in many Hispanic publications. The industry also
contributed to cultural Hispanic events and provide significant support to the
Hispanic art community.
Disclaimer: Data and findings provided on this page reflect the content of
this particular Surgeon General's Report. More recent information may exist
elsewhere on the Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site (for example, in fact sheets,
frequently asked questions, or other materials that are reviewed on a regular
basis and updated accordingly).
Page last updated April 27, 1998
