Prevalence of current cigarette smoking among American Indians in Oklahoma: a comparison

Tobacco use among American Indians in the US is higher compared to the overall population. Little is known, however, about tobacco use among Native Americans in Oklahoma. The objective of this paper is to report the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among the Native American population in Oklahoma and compare these rates to Oklahoma general adult population rates and United States median rates. The REACH 2010 Native American Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a random telephone survey, was conducted in 2000 as a part of larger national REACH initiative. It was designed to over-sample Native Americans in Oklahoma, and collect information related to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, overweight and obesity, physical activity, tobacco use, and other behavioral risk factors of interest. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was significantly higher among Native American adults in Oklahoma (33%) as compared to the Oklahoma general adult population current smoking rate (23%), and U.S. median rate (23%). It was also greater than smoking rates for other racial and/or ethnic groups in Oklahoma. For Native Americans in Oklahoma as well as for Oklahoma and U.S. general populations, highest cigarette smoking rates were among men, younger age groups, and those of lower socioeconomic status, all following the same trend. These findings are urging for more interventions targeting groups with higher smoking rates.