Councilwoman works with Asian-Americans on anti-smoking campaign
The rate of cigarette smoking among New York City’s Asian Americans, particularly men, is a source of major concern in Brooklyn’s Chinatown, according to Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook), who said she has started a new anti-smoking campaign with local groups.
Gonzalex recently met with Wai Yee Chan, interim director of the Brooklyn Branch of the Chinese Planning Council (CPC) and the directors of the Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership (S-FP) to discuss their shared interest in reducing tobacco use and preventing people, particularly young people, from picking up the habit.
Numerous health studies have found that 90% of smokers start before age 18, Gonzalez said.
Last year, Gonzalez organized a press conference at the Chinese Planning Council to raise awareness of the CPC’s involvement with the Brooklyn Smoke-Free Partnership and to reveal strategies to quit smoking.