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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
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
African Americans and Tobacco
Disclaimer
Highlights
Health Effects
- Stroke is associated with cerebrovascular disease and is a major cause of
death in the United States. Smoking significantly elevates the risk for stroke.
Cerebrovascular disease is twice as high among African-American men (53.1 per 100,000) as
among white men (26.3 per 100,000) and twice as high among African-American women (40.6 per
100,000) as among white women (22.6 per 100,000).
Cigarette Smoking Behavior
- Approximately three of every four African-American smokers prefer menthol
cigarettes. Among whites, approximately a quarter of smokers prefer menthol cigarettes.
Menthol may facilitate absorption of harmful cigarette smoke constituents.
- Among adult African-American smokers, the most popular brands are Newport,
Kool, and Salem. Similar brand preference was found among African-American teens with 61.3%
preferring Newport, 10.9% preferringg Kool, and 9.7% preferring Salem.
Prevalence of Other Forms of Tobacco Use
- Aggregated National Health Interview Survey data from 1987 and 1991 show
that more white men (4.8%) smoked cigars than did African-American men (3.9%).
- African-American men (3.1%) use chewing tobacco or snuff less than white men (6.8%).
African Americans and Quitting
- Of current African-American adult smokers, more than 70% indicated that
they want to quit smoking completely. African-American smokers are more
likely than white smokers to have quit for at least one day during the previous year
(29.7% compared with 26.0%).
- Prevalence of cessation (the percentage of persons who have smoked
at least 100 cigarettes and quit) is higher among whites (50.5%) than among African
Americans (35.4%).
Tobacco Industry Economic Influence
- A one-year study found that three major African-American
publications—Ebony, Jet, and Essence—received
proportionately higher profits from cigarette advertisements than did other magazines.
- The tobacco industry attempts to maintain a positive image and public
support among African Americans by supporting cultural events and making contributions
to minority higher education institutions, elected officials, civic and community organizations,
and scholarship programs.
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