Question:

Can you tell me the best practices regarding tobacco cessation for African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, American Indians and Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people?

Answer:

The Treating Tobacco Dependence and Use Guideline published in 2000 provides the following recommendation: Smoking cessation treatments have been shown to be effective across different ethnic and racial minorities. Therefore, members of racial and ethnic minorities should be provided treatments shown to be effective in the guideline. (These include 5 first-line pharmacotherapies – bupropion SR, nicotine gum, patch, inhaler and nasal spray – and counseling). In addition, the guideline states that whenever possible, tobacco dependence treatments should be modified or tailored to be appropriate for the ethnic or racial populations with which they are used. The guideline noted this as an important area for future research to identify specific barriers or impediments to smoking cessation success and the differential health effects related to smoking patterns for racial and ethnic minorities. Clearly, identifying motivators of cessation unique for each individual cigarette smoker is critical. There have been a number of print materials developed by and for specific groups, such as the recently revised `Pathways to Freedom` for African American cigarette smokers. Unfortunately, there is limited information available on smoking cessation in the GLBT community. The question posed is an important one and, at a minimum, all cigarette smokers need to be provided pharmacotherapy and counseling as recommended in the guideline. 

For more information:

Go to the Smoking and Tobacco health topic.