Abstract
Cigarette smoking behavior is highly determined by social influences during childhood and adolescence. This phenomenon has not been fully evaluated in the Hispanic/Latino population.
To examine the association between exposure to household cigarette smoking behavior (HCSB) and adult cigarette smoking among a diverse Hispanic/Latino population living in four US urban centers. The effect of acculturation on cigarette smoking was also evaluated.
Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) (n=13,231, ages 18–74years, collected between March 2008 and June 2011) were analyzed using logistic regression.
HCSB exposure was an independent risk factor for adult current cigarette smoking in Hispanic/Latinos (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4, 2.1) after controlling for relevant confounders including socio-demographic and cultural factors. Cubans and Puerto Ricans had the highest prevalence of HCSB exposure (59% and 47% respectively) and highest prevalence of current cigarette smoking (26% and 32%) compared with other Hispanic/Latino groups, (p<.01).
Our data suggest that exposure to HCSB in Hispanics/Latinos living in the US is an independent predictor of adult cigarette smoking, and this association appears to be strongest in Cubans and Puerto Ricans.
•Prevalence of childhood exposure to household smoking behavior was 40%.•Exposure to household smoking behavior was a risk factor for cigarette smoking.•The association appeared to be strongest for Cubans and Puerto Ricans.
