Smoking Is Highly Prevalent Among Latin American Immigrants in the United States

Wednesday, August 31, 2016: Although overall adult smoking rates in the United States have declined significantly, the habit remains common among Latino immigrants nationwide, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Among Hispanics, according to the study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), current smoking prevalence was nearly 24% in 2002-2005 and close to 20% in 2010-2013.

Within this group, Puerto Ricans had the highest smoking rate at 28.5% during 2010-2013.

They were followed during the same period by Cubans at 19.8% and Mexicans at 19.1%.

Central and South Americans entered the smoking group at 15.6% in 2010-2013.

“Although overall cigarette smoking rates are declining, disparities remain among racial and ethnic groups and within subgroups,” said Bridgette Garrett, Ph.D., associate director for health equity in the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health. “Looking beyond broad racial and ethnic population categories can help better target strategies we know work to reduce tobacco use among subgroups with higher rates of use.”

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, responsible for more than 480,000 premature deaths each year. And for every person who dies, about 30 more Americans suffer from tobacco-related diseases.