Smoking behavior among Asian Americans during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: The influence of pandemic stressors and depression
Introduction Heightened levels of distress among Asian Americans during the initial phases of the pandemic may be associated with current smoking behavior. In this study, we examine differences in current smoking among Asian Americans from two different ethnic backgrounds before and during the COVID...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Smoking-behavior-among-Asian-Americans-during-the-initial-nphase-of-the-COVID-19,176923,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
Heightened levels of distress among Asian Americans during the initial
phases of the pandemic may be associated with current smoking behavior. In this
study, we examine differences in current smoking among Asian Americans from
two different ethnic backgrounds before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We analyzed cross-sectional survey data (n=202) from Chinese and South
Asian adults in Chicago, collected between February and May 2020. We conducted
logistic regression models to estimate the relationship between exposure to the
COVID-19 pandemic and current smoking. We tested whether the association
varied by Asian American ethnic group, unemployment, racial discrimination,
and depression symptoms.
Results
We found that current smoking increased from 28% to 48% among Asian
Americans (i.e. Chinese and South Asians) during the pandemic. We found a
statistically significant interaction between the COVID-19 period indicator
variable and current smoking by Asian American ethnic groups (p=0.014), such
that current smoking was lower for Chinese compared to South Asians before
COVID-19, but was comparable for both groups during the pandemic. We also
found a statistically significant interaction between the period indicator variable
and current smoking by racial discrimination (p=0.047) and depression symptoms
(p=0.02). Results from these interactions suggest that Asian Americans who
experienced racial discrimination and depression during the pandemic may be
more likely to be current smokers compared to their pre-pandemic counterparts.
Conclusions
The findings of the study highlight the need for culturally tailored
smoking cessation interventions for Asian American communities that address
pandemic-related stressors such as discrimination that may trigger cigarette use. |
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| ISSN: | 1617-9625 |