Anti-Tobacco Campaigns in the LGBT Community
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Tobacco is a major health issue for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community in America. Unfortunately, few dollars have been spent to study this problem despite that it is believed to be the cause of more deathsin the LGBT community than AIDS, homicide, suicide, fire, accidents, gay bashing, and cancer combined.
What little research that has been done indicates that LGBT community smokes at much higher rates than their straight peers. Numbers in the community range as high as 60% which is double the national average. In one poll, 36% of respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender said they smoked compared with 25% of all adults. Likewise, a study of cancer-related risk factors in women found higher rates of smoking among lesbians. Additionally, LGBT youth have been found to smoke at a considerably higher rate of 38-59% compared to their heterosexual peers of whom only 28-35% smoke.
Why the higher rates? Experts say high levels of social stress, frequent patronage of bars and clubs, higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse may contribute to higher rates of tobacco use. Other factors include direct marketing to gays and tobacco industry support of HIV/AIDS research. The community also finds the tobacco industry to be very accepting and one of the most attractive employers for LGBT men and women. In turn, the LGBT community rewards the industry by consuming its products.
Further exacerbating the issue has been the focus of LGBT health care advocates on HIV/AIDS and medical access in general. Trying to switch that focus to cigarettes, tobacco, and cancer has been a challenge.
One thing that helps is culturally sensitive programs designed specifically for the community. They're especially effective in helping them kick the habit because of the comfort level when discussions turn to in-depth topics that include sharing personal details. Programs include teaching cessation techniques, sponsoring smoke-free events, and educating people about how the tobacco industry targets the LGBT community.
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