We visualize this project as Phase I of a three-phase tobacco research project. The primary objective for this research is to
engage a network of community organizations serving Russian-speaking immigrants, from the Former Soviet
Union, in developing a sampling frame and conducting a pilot study of smoking, exposure to secondhand
smoke, and tobacco-related health impacts.
The Soviet system, including the health care system, was organized to protect Soviet workers from communicable
diseases, not to engage them in individual action to protect their own health. Due to this orientation, poor health
is generally viewed as situational (the result of life conditions/bad luck or genetic predisposition) by people from
the Former Soviet Union. Even though research has found that they value good health, they generally do not
believe that they can prevent poor health through personal action, so there is little interest in preventive health
strategies.
The Slavic Community Center has found that the health promotion messages currently in use (especially those related to
secondhand smoke) are not understood due to linguistic and cultural barriers, so there is little interest in the community in
working to reduce tobacco harms.
A cultural pattern of heavy drinking and smoking evolved in Russia after World War II, largely due to the availability of
cheap alcohol and cigarettes.
This project will expand knowledge about eliminating tobacco-related disparities in priority populations, as well as it:
identify the ways that awareness of harms of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can be hampered by linguistic,
historical and cultural factors;
highlight tobacco-related concepts, practices, and priorities for this immigrant population that can be compared to what is
known about other immigrant groups, thus increasing knowledge that can contribute to the more effective tobacco control
communications and policy interventions.
engage a network of community organizations serving Russian-speaking immigrants, from the Former Soviet
Union, in developing a sampling frame and conducting a pilot study of smoking, exposure to secondhand
smoke, and tobacco-related health impacts.
The Soviet system, including the health care system, was organized to protect Soviet workers from communicable
diseases, not to engage them in individual action to protect their own health. Due to this orientation, poor health
is generally viewed as situational (the result of life conditions/bad luck or genetic predisposition) by people from
the Former Soviet Union. Even though research has found that they value good health, they generally do not
believe that they can prevent poor health through personal action, so there is little interest in preventive health
strategies.
The Slavic Community Center has found that the health promotion messages currently in use (especially those related to
secondhand smoke) are not understood due to linguistic and cultural barriers, so there is little interest in the community in
working to reduce tobacco harms.
A cultural pattern of heavy drinking and smoking evolved in Russia after World War II, largely due to the availability of
cheap alcohol and cigarettes.
This project will expand knowledge about eliminating tobacco-related disparities in priority populations, as well as it:
identify the ways that awareness of harms of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can be hampered by linguistic,
historical and cultural factors;
highlight tobacco-related concepts, practices, and priorities for this immigrant population that can be compared to what is
known about other immigrant groups, thus increasing knowledge that can contribute to the more effective tobacco control
communications and policy interventions.
Tobacco Use
Slavic Community Center
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