“Please extinguish all cigarettes”: The effects of acculturation and gender on smoking attitudes and smoking prevalence of Chinese and Russian immigrants

Acculturation, assessed in several ways, predicted smoking attitudes among 364 male and female Chinese and Russian immigrants to the US. Four aspects of smoking attitudes, using the Smoking Attitude Scale, as well as smoking prevalence were measured. Acculturation level and gender were predictors of attitudes toward smoking. In general, the more years living in the US and the greater the use of English, the more negative the attitudinal dimension, in particular the interpersonal relations subscale. Acculturated immigrants were less likely to want to befriend, date or marry smokers. However, acculturated Chinese and Russian females held a more positive smoking attitude and were more likely to smoke, similar to native-born American females. Implications for smoking cessation campaigns suggest that ethnicity, acculturation level and gender factors should inform the design and placement of such programs.

Research highlights▶ We assessed acculturation on smoking outcomes in Chinese and Russian US immigrants. ▶ Acculturation level and gender were predictors of smoking attitudes and prevalence. ▶ More years in the US and greater English use led to more negative attitudes. ▶ Acculturated females had more positive attitudes and were more likely to smoke. ▶ Becoming more American can have negative health consequences for immigrant females.