Perception of discrimination increases smoking in minority teen boys
By ANIWednesday, January 20, 2010
WASHINGTON - A new study from the Indiana University School of Medicine has shown that the perception of discrimination increases the amount teenage minority boys smoke but does not increase the amount teenage minority girls smoke.
While the researchers found that minority boys smoke more when they perceived discrimination, girls reacted differently. There does not appear to be an association between perceived discrimination and smoking in minority girls, ages 12 to 15.
For minority girls ages 16 to 19, perceived discrimination is associated with lower, not higher, rates of smoking.
“We looked at the association between self-reported discrimination and adolescent smoking because both the perception of discrimination and the rate of smoking are so high in minority teens,” said study first author Sarah E. Wiehe, assistant professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine and a Regenstrief Institute affiliated scientist.
“Our findings in girls, especially in the older girls, really surprised us. We do not know why older girls who perceived discrimination were less likely to smoke but there may be a possibility that they perceived discrimination because they were pregnant and also that they did not smoke due to the pregnancy,” she added.
The researchers investigated 2,561 black and Latino adolescents, ages 12-19, from low-income households residing in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
One in four of these adolescents reported discrimination in at least one setting in the last six months. Twelve percent reported smoking in the last 30 days.
Dr. Wiehe said she and her colleagues studied the association between perceived discrimination and adolescent smoking because the rates of both are so high in minority teens.
“Boys and girls may experience discrimination differently due to where they spend time and that may account for the differences in whether discrimination was associated with smoking,” Wiehe said.
“In other words, the context of discrimination matters. We need to be aware that discrimination is a public health problem for adolescents - one related to major health issues like smoking - and need to actively work to reduce these occurrences,” Wiehe added.
This study is to be published in the March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. (ANI)
|
July 15, 2010: 6:39 pm
Talk about smoking fumes! I am now getting angry about the way I am being discriminated against because I smoke. I have put up with this for some time now, but now I have looked in two cities and can’t find a place to live because none of them will rent to me if I smoke! Huh?! Okay, first, most of them are condos with separate ventilation, second, I smoke outside because I don’t’ want to affect those inside. The message I am getting here is that I could end up homeless if I don’t stop smoking. I worked at a homeless shelter at one point in life, and they smoke there for free! How am I expected to pay high CA rents of the tune of $2500 for a decent place and they are going to command what I do? Yes, this is discrimination and it is wrong and it is a big bully! I have friends that died and got cancer only right after they quit and then I have loved ones who smoked all their lives and lived to be past 80 years old! I just wonder why it’s okay to drink in bars, but now we smokers have no where to go at all. If health care and health is the big issue, then why do they serve us food that is overwhelming proven to be made from fat, sugar, salt, and preservatives, why do they have bars open for people to drink, and why do they open strip clubs where diseases could be spread? A recent article released shows how cigarette butts can prove to be useful in stopping oil leaks such as the fierce one we are battling now. In addition, I have read that 50% of the tax money from cigarettes goes to pay for much needed social services for people. As a 20 year smoker, I agree that smoke is harmful and I do all I can to respect other people’s right to stay smoke free and not be exposed to harmful toxins. I go out of my way to follow the city rules by staying away from buildings, public places, and open doors, you will likely find me in a corner alone. I also put my cigarette out and keep my butt to throw away as soon as I find a trash can to discard (of which more around cities would be helpful.) I am always extremely careful to make sure the butt is not still burning to prevent fire hazards as well. I am tired of being treated like a second class citizen because I smoke. I grew up in a family of smokers, no excuse, and I have been ADDICTED for a long time. I have tried to quit on many occasions, but with layoffs looming, stress at home and work, moving soon, and more, when I try to quit, it truly feels like it would do me in, I would go nuts as I have a mental condition to manage. I am a very charitable person, humanity is my love and I seek ways to and do serve constantly. Yet, people who don’t even know me will see me in my corner smoking and give me dirty looks, cough like it is affecting them so far away, and some have even gone as far as to say something mean to me. I feel this is discrimination and unnecessary. I am a person. I have to cope when I am walking to and from work and school with people driving vehicles that are in need of smog and pollution from all of these transportation needs. Believe me, those toxins make me have to hold my breath it is so nasty and harmful. I have had headaches at work when someone sprays their cologne or perfume all around the office, not to mention those who just smell like they haven’t bathed in days. In short, we don’t all always like what we see and we are all different, different vices to overcome, choices that others may not approve of, etc. How many of us really want anyone to get in our face about it? How many of us don’t already understand and are doing the best we can with what we have? I will be respectful of your wishes, please be more understanding and gracious that smoking is an addiction, a disease. Would you treat someone with Aids with such disdain? Oh yes, some of us still do. |
Bambi