Percentage of Denver County Adults Who Smoke
29.5% Latino/Hispanic
15.4% White, non-Hispanic
(Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey - TABS, 2005)

Tobacco is not a major issue or priority; not everyone makes it a big issue. There is growing awareness about the impact of tobacco. Smoking is becoming less socially acceptable and some smokers are unhappy about this. Many feel smoking is a sign of personal weakness.

The role of tobacoc use in the community. Tobacco use is used to deal with stress and stress, in turn, is often what leads to relapses after quitting. People start out playing with it, but then become addicted. Youth in particular, use it as a of being cool and fitting in. (Tobacco Disparities Strategic Plan Draft, November 2006)

The Latino/a Research & Policy Center (LRPC) is an organized research unit of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. The LRPC is a "think tank" that uses community based participation in its work. The LRPC is creating a "Latino Statewide Tobacco Prevention and Education Network" (LSTPEN), in 5 regions of the state covering 26 counties, where 95% of Colorado Latinos reside. This work is part of a contract from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP) program.

DATH Constituents
Latino State Tobacco Prevention and Education Network (LSTPEN)
Community Research * Education * Awareness CREA
Promotoras de Salud

Tobacco Industry Targeting of Latinos/Hispanics