title: Understanding smoking and cessation among Hmong smokers.
abstract: This qualitative study was designed to explore beliefs and experiences related to smoking and cessation among the Hmong population in the United States. Three separate focus groups were conducted with male and female Hmong smokers. Analysis revealed that the Hmong viewed smoking as prevalent in their community and perceived numerous barriers to cessation. Barriers to cessation differed based on gender and acculturation. For instance, women were concerned about having their smoking status revealed if they were to seek help, because of cultural prohibitions against female smokers. Less acculturated Hmong believed U.S. commercial tobacco to be more addictive than the homegrown tobacco they were used to. This formative research suggests that smoking is becoming an increasing problem among the Hmong in the United States and points to a need for additional research to inform the development of effective tobacco control strategies for this community.
authors.affiliation: Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. Diana.Burgess@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Dorothy K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hatsukami
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Ryn
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology*