Awareness and use of South Asian tobacco products among South Asians in New Jersey Journal Article


Authors: Hrywna, M.; Jane Lewis, M.; Mukherjea, A.; Banerjee, S. C.; Steinberg, M. B.; Delnevo, C. D.
Article Title: Awareness and use of South Asian tobacco products among South Asians in New Jersey
Abstract: South Asians are the third largest Asian group in the US and among the fastest growing racial groups in New Jersey. Tobacco consumption among South Asians is characterized by several smoked and smokeless tobacco products indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. However, there is a paucity of research on tobacco use behaviors among South Asians in the US. The goal of this study was to examine the awareness and use of South Asian tobacco products such as bidis, gutkha, paan, paan masala, and zarda as well as other potentially carcinogenic products such as supari, their context of use, and their cultural significance among South Asians living in the US. Eight focus groups were conducted with South Asian adults living in Central New Jersey. Overall, participants were aware of a wide variety of foreign and American tobacco products with older South Asians identifying a greater variety of indigenous products compared to younger South Asians. Hookah was consistently recognized as popular among the younger generation while products such as paan or paan masala were more commonly identified with elders. Use of tobacco-related products such as paan and supari were described as common at social gatherings or after meals. In addition, light or social users of South Asian tobacco products, including products not consistently defined as tobacco, may not report tobacco use on a survey. Better understanding of the use of these products among South Asians and how some may classify tobacco usage can inform future research and public health interventions in these communities. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Keywords: adult; aged; information processing; new jersey; public health; tobacco; awareness; qualitative research; tobacco use; smokeless tobacco; south asians; qualitative study; south asian; human
Journal Title: Journal of Community Health
Volume: 41
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0094-5145
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2016-12-01
Start Page: 1122
End Page: 1129
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-016-0208-4
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5083141
PUBMED: 27256410
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 6 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Smita Banerjee
    125 Banerjee
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