American Lung Society

February is Africa American History Month..  African American are at an increased risk of lung cancer even though smoking rates are approximately the same as Caucasians.  Despite medical advancements, disparities in the rates tobacco-related illnesses remain among Africa American and other population groups. Africa American men 34 percent more likely than white men to develop ling cancer.   February is African American History Month.  African Americans are at an increased risk of lung cancer even though smoking rates are approximately the same as Caucasians. Despite medical advancements, disparities in the rates of tobacco-related illnesses remain among African Aorelikel;y mericans and other population groups. African American men are 34 percent more likely than white men to develop lung cancer.  Additionally, African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed later, when the cancer is more advanced. Screening and earlier detection for lung cancer are vital steps for anyone at a high risk for the disease. As I know from my mother's battle with small cell cancer it is not a cancer that is easily diagnosed in our community. My Mother was diagnosed with acid reflex they prolonged needed testing with Doctors still not listening to my mother's pleas that something was very wrong. hose with a college education (9.5%).8 Between 1997 and 2007, the smoking rate declined 49 percent among African American high school students from 22.7 to 11.6 percent.9 These students were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic white and Hispanic students to report current smoking in 2007. They also have the highest percentage of trying to quit in the past 12 months (58.4%).10 In 2006, 5.5 percent of African American middle school students smoked cigarettes.  This rate was slightly lower than that for non-Hispanic white (6.5%) and Hispanic (6.8%) middle school students.11 Other Facts About Smoking Among African Americans Use of menthol cigarettes is disproportionately high among African Americans. Almost 84 percent of African Americans smokers aged 12 years or older reported smoking a mentholated brand of cigarette compared to 24 and 32 percent of their Caucasian and Hispanic counterparts, respectively.12 As smoking declines among the white non-Hispanic population, tobacco companies have targeted both African Americans and Hispanics with intensive merchandising, which includes advertising in media oriented to these communities and sponsorship of civic groups and athletic, cultural, and entertainment events.13 of civic groups and athletic, cultural, and entertainment events.13 African American communities have been bombarded with cigarette advertising. Since the signing of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in 1998 through 2005, the average youth in the United States is annually exposed to 559 tobacco ads, every adult female 617 advertisements, and every African American adult 892 ads.  Money spent on magazine advertising of mentholated cigarettes, popular with African Americans, increased from 13 percent of total ad expenditures in 1998 to 49 percent in 2005.14 The former Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company (now part of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company) ran a campaign for Kool cigarettes aimed at black youths in 2006 that featured hip-hop DJ competitions, themed cigarette packs, and was billed as a "celebration" of hip-hop  African Americans Smoking among African Americans is a serious problem as this population suffers disproportionately from deadly and preventable diseases associated with smoking.1  Compared to white Americans, African Americans are at increased risk for lung cancer even though they smoke about the same amount.2 Smoking Rates Among African Americans In 2008, about 5.6 million, or 21.3 percent of non-Hispanic black adults smoked cigarettes compared to 22.0 percent of non-Hispanic whites. African Americans accounted for approximately 12 percent of the 46 million adults who were current smokers in the United States during 2008.3 In 2008, 25.5 percent of non-Hispanic black men smoked compared to 23.6 percent of non-Hispanic white men.4 On average, white men tend to consume more cigarettes (about 30–40 percent more) than African American men.5 Despite their lower exposure, however, African American men are 34 percent more likely than white men to develop lung cancer.6 Black women tend to smoke less than white women but the two groups have similar lung cancer rates.7 Among African Americans, as with other U.S. populations, the prevalence of smoking declines as education level increases. In 2008, smoking rates were over 3.4 times higher among African American males over age 25 who had less than a high school education (34.5%) compared to those with a college education (10.1%). Smokining rates were over 3.4 times higher among African American males over age 25 who had less than a high school education (34.5%) compared to those with a college education (10.1%). Smoking rates are also much higher in African American females over age 25 years old who have less than a high school education (23.2%) compared to t Resources http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/about-smoking/facts-figures/african-americans-and-tobacco.html