According to a new American Cancer Society study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, African-Americans and Hispanics are less likely than whites to receive help in quitting smoking. The study also found men and those lacking a consistent source of medical care were less likely to receive help.

Researchers studied nearly 5,000 smokers over the age of 18 who visited a healthcare provider and participated in the 2005 National Health Interview Survey. They found 85 percent of white smokers, 77 percent of African-American smokers and 72 percent of Hispanics were asked about tobacco use by health care providers. Also while 63 percent of whites were advised to quit, only 55 percent of African-Americans and 48 percent of Hispanics were urged to do the same.

The American Cancer Society says that while the number of smokers being advised to quit is rising, we need to ensure that there is broad and consistent use of proven tobacco cessation programs if this growth is to continue.