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An exploration of Latino smokers and the use of pharmaceutical AIDS.

Levinson AH, Borrayo EA, Espinoza P, Flores ET, Pérez-Stable EJ

Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80214, USA. arnold.levinson@uchsc.edu

BACKGROUND: Latino smokers are less likely than white non-Latino smokers to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion when trying to quit smoking. The current study explored sociocultural and psychosocial factors related to nonuse of smoking-cessation medications among Latino smokers. METHODS: Structured discussions were held with six separate focus groups of current smokers (n =49) who self-identified as Latino, had attempted to quit in the past 12 months, and were aged 35 to 64 years. Participants were recruited from Latino-serving health clinics, community events, and community organizations. Session recordings were transcribed, and content analysis was used to organize themes into categories. RESULTS: Six thematic categories emerged across most or all discussion groups: (1) smoking is a weakness rather than an illness, (2) pharmaceuticals are generally avoided, (3) NRT is mistrusted, (4) bupropion is widely rejected, (5) views are mixed regarding ethnic dimensions of smoking and quitting, and (6) misconceptions are common regarding smoking and cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reframing strategies should be developed and tested for Latino smokers who decline pharmacologic smoking-cessation assistance for reasons other than well-informed autonomous choice.

Published 10 July 2006 in Am J Prev Med, 31(2): 167-71.
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