Sexual Minorities and Tobacco in
Washington
Summary
Recently, data for sexual minorities have been made available to describe
their tobacco use. In 2005 the data showed that smoking among lesbian,
gay, bisexual adults was about 32.9 percent. This is significantly higher
than the state rate of about 17.8 percent in the same year. When separated
by gender, lesbian/bisexual women had a higher smoking rate (34.2%) than
did gay/bisexual men (31.3%).
This is consistent with national literature where LGBT (lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual, transgender) populations have been identified as having a high
prevalence of tobacco use. A review of the limited published studies to
describe tobacco use in LGBT populations found that smoking appeared to be
higher among adolescent and adult LGBT groups than in the general
population*. Sexual Minority groups may be difficult to engage in tobacco
control, due to targeted promotions by the tobacco industry, and cultural
acceptance of tobacco use. One local organization in Washington began
working with LGBT groups by identifying existing resources and
opportunities, creating partnerships, and establishing themselves as a
resource for health information. Another local organization, which had
been working with an established collaborative group to serve LGBT
populations, continues to identify effective, hip messaging to reach 20-
to 30-year-olds with information about quitting tobacco.
* Source: Ryan, Wortley, Easton, Pederson, Greenwood. Am J Prev Med.
2001;21(2)
Challenges
Local assessments completed in communities identified
these risk factors:
-
Tobacco use is widely accepted by the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender populations.
-
Tobacco and alcohol industries sponsoring
social events such as “Marlboro Nights” and “Camel Nights” in bars and
clubs with lots of
promotions.
-
A high proportion of community members have
gone through substance abuse
treatment.
Future directions
-
Continue to build on successes, year-to-year.
-
Continue to seek new and creative ways to engage this
community with stop-smoking messages.
-
Keep seeking new opportunities to partner with existing
groups who already work with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
population, and position the local organization as a resource to them for
promoting health.
The state Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) is contracting
with Verbena to coordinate statewide activities within LGBT communities.
Verbena has hired a person to recruit and coordinate a community-based
coalition to plan, implement and evaluate activities in sexual minority
communities. Verbena and its advisory board have created a strategic plan
for their communities and are seeking ways to partner with TPCP county,
Educational Service District and other cross cultural contractors to
reduce tobacco use in this community across the state.
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