Predictors of Smoking and Alcohol Use in Japanese and Japanese-American College Students

This study investigates and identifies the predictors of cigarette smoking and alcohol use and acculturation of Japanese and Japanese American students in Hawaii. The Transtheroetical Model (TTM) was applied to investigate smoking and alcohol behavior and attitudes. A cross-sectional self-report survey was conducted through convenience sampling and the snowball sampling technique. The total 92 participants (Japanese 69.6%; Japanese Americans 30.4%) completed either English version or Japanese version of survey. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, chi-square, and regression to test significance. These analyses indicate that onset of smoking and drinking is associated with Japanese culture. To some extent acculturation is influential factor in both smoking and alcohol behavior. However, nationality and age have stronger associations with smoking; education is stronger factor to predict alcohol use than acculturation among Japanese and Japanese American students. Results indicate a need for cultural-specific interventions for Japanese and Japanese Americans. © 2007 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved.