How tobacco affects you

Tobacco use disproportionately harms populations that are vulnerable and disenfranchised -- Native Americans, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, the LGBTQ community, the disabled, the young and those with low income and education – it becomes clear that tobacco use is more than a health care issue. It is an issue of health disparities, health equity, and social justice.TOFCO Reaches Out. The Community Responds.

Source: Tobacco Prevention and Education Program Report 2007-2009: Oregonians share their stories. Oregon Department of Human Services, Public Health Division.

The people who are most affected by tobacco’s toll in Oregon: Native Americans (36% adult smoking prevalence), African Americans (30% adult smoking prevalence), those with disabilities, particularly those with mental illness (29% adult smoking prevalence), the young (16% youth smoking prevalence) and those with low income and education (34% adult smoking prevalence) who smoke at much higher rates, are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke and/or disproportionately suffer the health consequences of smoking. For comparison, the statewide average is 16%. The children of these communities are also more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke and to become smokers themselves.
 

To learn more about tobacco disparities go to Tobacco Research Network on Disparities (TREND).

• How Tobacco Affects You HOME
• African American Community
• American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
• Asian and Pacific Islander Communities
• Latino Community
• LGBTQ Community
• Lower Income
• The Disabled
• Young Adults