Over the past few decades in New York City, public health advocates have made significant progress in reducing smoking and spreading awareness in our communities.
The quality of life for New Yorkers is a crucial concern, as many of us reside in apartment buildings and share common areas. Our proximity to one another means that a neighbor's decision to smoke or use e-cigarettes can result in someone living in a home contaminated with secondhand smoke, which is extremely harmful to our health as this is where we spend most of our time.
Fortunately, we are seeing a decline in smoking rates, but many New Yorkers may not be aware of this. This is because in certain groups, tobacco and e-cigarette use is much higher, with disparities continuing to exist based on socioeconomic status, race, and within certain marginalized communities, such as youth, African Americans, Asian Americans, and even the LGBTQ community.
This is a direct consequence of tobacco company marketing strategies and easy access to their products. Therefore, smoking continues to be prevalent in immigrant communities, where smoking rates are three times higher than the general population. In 2015, the smoking rate among Asian American men was the highest among all racial groups in New York, at 27%, nearly double that of other areas in the city.
The popularity of menthol among African Americans is staggering. Menthol is a cooling chemical substance that is more addictive and harder to quit than regular cigarettes. 80% of African American smokers choose menthol compared to only 24% of white smokers.
After just celebrating Pride month, it is important to note that the smoking rate among the LGBTQAI population is currently 68% higher than the national average. Discrimination, peer pressure, rejection from family and friends, and poverty all contribute to higher smoking rates among gay individuals, particularly young people.
The good news is that with the help of Smoke-Free New York, public health programs, apartment buildings, businesses, and organizations can create their own smoke-free environments. New Yorkers want to enjoy all the city has to offer this summer and create an environment where everyone, regardless of age, immigrant status, socioeconomic status, or education level, can smell the flowers, sea breeze, or even the hot dog stands without any tobacco smoke.
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