Generally speaking, Santa Clara County is ahead of the curve when it comes to tobacco use prevention and awareness.
According to a county report, about one in 10 residents is a smoker. A 2011 public health report put California's smoking at about 12 percent. The highest smoking rate in the nation belongs to West Virginia at nearly 27 percent.
However, one major portion of the local population indulges in the life-threatening activity at an alarming rate. According to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, "Asian male immigrants, in particular the Filipino and Cambodian populations, have three times the smoking rate compared to the county’s overall adult smoking rate."
Cupertino has a 63 percent Asian population.
May 31 was recognized by the World Health Organization as World Tobacco Free Day. This year, the focus was on reducing tobacco-related advetising specifically geared toward children. Some cities in the county have already publicly backed "regulation of flavored (i.e. candy, fruit and menthol flavors) tobacco products that appeal to youth," the health department said in a press release on Friday.
Many cities across Santa Clara County have taken broader steps, including passing ordinances making some parks and public dwellings official smoke-free zones.
Do you think smoking is a problem in Cupertino? Are you surprised to find that the male immigrant Asian population smokes at such a high rate? What can be done about it? Tell us in the comments!
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