Tobacco Environment for Southeast Asian American Youth: Results from a Participatory Research Project

Abstract

Despite reports of high rates of smoking among Southeast Asian refugees in the United States, few studies have described the environmental aspects of tobacco use among this population, particularly for the second-generation youths. This absence is notable because the social environment within which second-generation youths are exposed to tobacco products differs radically from the natal environment of their parents. We describe results of a youth-led community participatory research project for Southeast Asians in Northern California. Using multiple data sources, second-generation youths documented the salience of tobacco products in their social environment, notably products such as blunts and mentholated cigarettes.

KEYWORDS:

• tobacco
• environmental prevention
• youth
• participatory research
• Asian American

Acknowledgments

The research and preparation of this manuscript were made possible by a grant from the University of California Office of the President's Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP #18BT-0044, Co-P.I.s Juliet Lee and Sean Kirkpatrick). The authors wish to acknowledge the members of SEAYL, in particular Daniel Phan, Mory Saengsourith, Alex Douangdara, Anthony Phongboupha, and Bryan Phuthama, for their work related to tobacco prevention; and SEAYL staff members Adel Hazan, Zelda Coleman, John Abella, and Sue Denny. They thank the Contra Costa County Tobacco Prevention Project for their help and support.