title: Involuntary Tobacco Smoking Exposure Among Korean American Emerging Adults: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: High smoking prevalence among Korean American (KA) males place KA family members and co-workers at an elevated risk of involuntary tobacco smoke exposure (ITSE). KA emerging adults (EAs) face an additional risk of ITSE by their peers, as emerging adulthood is associated with increased smoking. This paper explores health behaviors, attitudes and beliefs of ITSE among KAEA. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on transcripts from ten focus groups (N = 67). Themes related to attitudes and perceptions of ITSE were identified: high level of cultural tolerance, lack of knowledge/insufficient information, perceived benign health effects, and perceived hopelessness/indifference. Themes related to culturally-held beliefs include: tolerance of male family smokers, allowance of indoor smoking and misconceptions of practices perceived to minimize ITSE. The dissemination of culturally relevant ITSE information is needed in KA communities. Failure to implement indoor smoking bans in ethnic enclaves calls for increased enforcement of regulations by public health officials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, 302Y, MC 9239, Los Angeles, CA, 90032-3628, USA. zabramov@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Zarina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abramova
authors.affiliation: School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sami
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, 302Y, MC 9239, Los Angeles, CA, 90032-3628, USA.
authors.forename: Minn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, Institute of Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, 302Y, MC 9239, Los Angeles, CA, 90032-3628, USA.
authors.forename: Jimi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
keywords: Emerging adults; ITSE; Korean American; Tobacco exposure