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Sexual Minorities and Tobacco in Washington
Summary
Recently, data for sexual minorities have been made available to describe their tobacco use. In 2008 the data showed that smoking among lesbian, gay, bisexual adults was about
28.8 percent. This is significantly higher than the state rate of about
15.3 percent in the same year. When separated by gender, lesbian/bisexual women (28.2%) had a similar smoking rate to gay/bisexual men (29.6%).
This is consistent with national literature where lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual and 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 these populations found that smoking appeared to be
higher among adolescent and adult lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender 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 these 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 lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual and transgender
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)
Data on graphs are from the Washington State Behavioral Risk
Factor
Surveillance System
Challenges
Local assessments completed in communities identified
these risk factors:
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Tobacco use is widely accepted by the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender populations.
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Tobacco and alcohol industries sponsoring
social events such as “Marlboro Nights” and “Camel Nights” in bars and
clubs with lots of
promotions.
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A high proportion of community members have
gone through substance abuse treatment.
Future directions
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Continue to build on successes, year-to-year.
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Continue to seek new and creative ways to engage
this community with stop-smoking messages.
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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 is contracting with Gay City to coordinate statewide activities within lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual and transgender communities. Gay City will be hiring a person to recruit and coordinate a community-based coalition to plan, implement and evaluate activities in sexual minority communities. Gay City and its advisory board will create a strategic plan for their communities and are seeking ways to partner with
Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs county, Educational Service District and other cross cultural contractors to reduce tobacco use in this community across the state.
Model outreach projects for the lesbian, gay,
bi-sexual and transgender community
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