Acculturation and meanings of smoking among Asian–American college students

We investigated meanings of smoking in white and Asian–American college students with different acculturation patterns. The associations between meanings of smoking and smoking behaviors were also examined. A survey was administered to two post secondary institutions in Southern California. A total of 460 Asian and 115 White students completed the survey. Results of this study demonstrate that the determinants of smoking may vary across cultural groups. A culturally appropriate smoking education curriculum tailored to different acculturation patterns and ethnicities is necessary.