Australia has a very large population of people from diverse backgrounds. Around one-quarter of the Australian population is born overseas, with around 14% emigrating from countries of non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Smoking rates amongst multicultural populations vary from well below the national average to above average. Within particular cultural groups, for example among people from Vietnamese, Chinese and Arabic backgrounds living in Australia, smoking is more highly prevalent with prevalence rates upwards of 50%.*
Male smoking is significantly higher than female smoking in many, reflecting trends in their country of origin. This is particularly the case for males speaking Croatian, Vietnamese and Arabic languages at home, with rates of current smoking between 36 and 51%.*
The following table from the 2004-05 National Health Survey identifies the smoking rates of culturally and linguistically diverse communities within Australia.
Some research studies have also found that people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds react differently to the effects of nicotine and inhale more deeply on their cigarettes.*
References
* Baker A, et al. Where there's smoke, there's fire: high prevalence of smoking among some sub-populations and recommendations for intervention. Drug Alcohol Rev 2006;25:85?96
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