Every time I walked in Chinatown, I noticed the grocery shops window with different brands of cigarettes. In some big grocery stores outside Chinatown, the cigarettes are usually locked in a glass box but not put such visible location. Does that mean Chinese Americans have higher rate of smoking than other ethnic group in Philadelphia or Chinatown shops sell more cigarettes?
I learned from some research from Temple University that culture is one of the main reasons of smoking, which reminds me of the fancy packs of cigarettes in China with panda, dragon, flower and even the house of Zhong Nan Hai, the location of the central government.
Actually cigarettes are important gifts in social life. People light cigarettes for each other when they first meet to show friendship, bride lights cigarettes for each male guest on the wedding to show gratitude, junior people light cigarettes for seniors to show respects.
That is one of the reasons tobacco control in China is so difficult.
Read my recent opinion on tobacco control in China and you will learn more:
