Asian Americans
Know the Facts
Smoking raises your risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke, which already are leading causes of death for Asian Americans.
- About 1 in every 14 (7.2%) Asian American adults smokes cigarettes.*
- Among Asian American adults, cigarette smoking is more common in men than women.†
For More Information
- Learn what percent of people currently smoke cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific populations.
Real Stories: Asian Americans Featured in Tips®
Learn the real stories of Asian Americans living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
Quitting Help
To get started right now, see our How to Quit Smoking area featuring a Quit Guide.
Get free help to quit smoking by calling a quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitline coaches can answer questions, help you develop a quit plan, and provide support.
Free help is also available through the Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon (ASQ) in the following languages:
- Mandarin and Cantonese: 1-800-838-8917
- Korean: 1-800-556-5564
- Vietnamese: 1-800-778-8440
Download and print Asian-language quitting resources:
What are your reasons to quit?
Do you have a quit plan?
How to manage your cravings.
Rico F., age 48, started smoking at age 14. He was diagnosed with cancer at age 45 and was determined to quit so that he could enjoy a healthy life with his family. Since quitting smoking for good, Rico is a cancer survivor who feels passionate about sharing his story to help other smokers quit. Rico feels blessed to be alive to spend time with his family and watch his children finish college. Rico believes that it’s never too late to quit smoking.
“As a former smoker, I know how hard it is to quit. Addiction is a very difficult battle to win, but it can be done!”
Quit-smoking treatments may be free or reduced in price through insurance, health plans, or clinics.
State Medicaid programs cover quit-smoking treatments. While the coverage varies by state, all states cover some treatments for at least some Medicaid enrollees.
Medicare currently covers two quit attempts per year and up to four face-to-face counseling sessions per attempt.
*Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2020.
†Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018.