Smoking in the LGBT Community

While it is widely known that smoking cigarettes is detrimental to health and quality of life, cigarettes have become a large part of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture.  According to an online marketing survey, LGBT smokers are more likely than the general population of smokers to believe that smoking shortens lives (96% versus 88%), yet the LGBT community has the highest rate of smoking of any minority population.  Fifty-nine percent of LGBT teens use tobacco, compared to 35% of non-LGBT teens.

Since the early 1990s, the tobacco industry has marketed to the LGBT community using four primary strategies: direct marketing in LGBT magazines and publications, indirect marketing, event sponsorship and outreach efforts and promotions in the community.  Many factors make the LGBT community particularly vulnerable and receptive to tobacco industry marketing.

Many young people who feel like outsiders smoke cigarettes as a way of fitting in.  Cigarettes can be a way of emotional support given the social pressures and needs of LGBT people. They subsequently become addicted to the nicotine and become long-term smokers.  In other cases, internalized homophobia plays a role in the community’s vulnerability to tobacco advertising.  Some LGBT people hold beliefs that they are not worthy of being healthy or entitled to live a long and happy life.  These thoughts can break down resistance to tobacco use messages.  LGBT meeting places and the “bar culture” of LGBT social life increases opportunities for cigarette use as a social tool. Tobacco has become a conversation starter, a way of meeting new people and a way of expressing interest.

Additionally, LGBT audiences have responded to advertising that eroticizes tobacco use, perpetuating myths that tobacco use increases masculinity and smoking is sexy.  The tobacco industry has exploited other myths to reach the LGBT community, such as “tobacco use demonstrates independence or rebellion” and “tobacco use is just a part of being gay.”  Young lesbians may be particularly vulnerable as the tobacco industry has increasingly marketed cigarettes to women of “all attitudes.”  Tobacco advertising suggests that whether you desire to be tough and butch or feminine and sexy, a cigarette can be the perfect “coordinating accessory.”

Other highly prioritized problems within the LGBT community, such as HIV/AIDS, anti-gay violence and discrimination have led many to believe that tobacco use pales in comparison.  Tobacco kills at least 30,000 gay and lesbian people in the United States each year and overall roughly 450,000 people die in the United States each year from illnesses related to smoking cigarettes.  Tobacco is the most preventable cause of death.  In the United States alone, tobacco contributes to more deaths each year than alcohol, accidents, suicide, AIDS, murder, illegal drugs and fire combined.  About 30 percent of all cancer deaths are caused by cigarette smoking.

However, there’s good news.  Many risks associated with smoking can be reversed by quitting:

• 20 minutes – blood pressure drops to a level close to that before you had your last cigarette.
• 8 hours – carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 24 hours – chance of heart attack decreases.
• 2 weeks – 3 months – circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30%.
• 1 to 9 months – coughing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease and cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
• 1 year – chance of having a heart attack is cut in half.
• 5 years –risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker between 5 and 15 years after quitting.
• 10 years –risk of dying from lung cancer is half of that of someone who is still smoking and many cancer risks decrease.
• 15 years – risk of coronary heart disease is equal to that of a nonsmoker.

If you’re not a smoker, don’t start.  Cigarettes are very addictive. Avoid the temptation to start and encourage your family and friends to remain smoke-free.  If you currently use tobacco, now is a great time to quit.  You don’t have to do it alone.  Duke Student Health is sensitive to the needs of LGBT students and we’re here to help.  We offer free quit kits and counseling.  Also, the Duke Student Health pharmacy offers pharmacotherapy, which includes Zyban and nicotine gum, lozenges and patches at a reduced price.  Stop by Duke Student Health today to get your free quit kit or call 668-5666 to meet with a SAFE trained tobacco cessation specialist.