Preventing Tobacco Use Among African American Women

Columbia University: Harlem Health Promotion Center

Topics:
Tobacco Prevention & Control

Activities to prevent the initial use of tobacco are aimed primarily at teenagers. Extending similar activities to African American women, many of whom start smoking at older ages—sometimes as late as age 40—may help prevent their tobacco use as well. Researchers are developing a 2-year project to examine tobacco use patterns among urban African American women. The goal is to identify factors that influence, as well as those that protect against, the initial use of tobacco in this population and to develop effective prevention strategies. Early results show that late initiation of tobacco use among adult African American women is associated with situational factors, such as exposure to trauma and chronic life stress. Researchers will provide final results in reports and recommendations to public health practitioners and other tobacco control advocates.

 

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