why does this matter?

LGBTQ+ community members face many daily stressors, and tobacco use might seem like a way to cope. Maybe, tobacco use doesn’t seem as bad as other problems. 

But the facts are that LGBTQ+ community members are more likely to use tobacco products than non-LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who are Black and/or Latino/a/x. The tobacco industry has a history of targeting these communities, putting them at greater risk of harm from tobacco. Tobacco is harmful, no matter when someone starts, how much they use, and what the product. 

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Organizations like yours can help by sharing tobacco-related education and anti-tobacco information with LGBTQ+ community members. We are developing anti-tobacco messages with LGBTQ+ community members that organizations can share with Black and Latinx youth and young adults.

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we learned…

In our research, we learned that these challenges are even more severe for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who are Black and/or Latino/a/x.

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“…I would say we have higher rates of substance use, and I’ll also say that we are being rejected and bullied and also depressed.”

[18-24 yrs., currently using tobacco]

other studies have shown…
Trans youth (14-17 years) are 3 times more likely to use e-cigarettes and 4 times more likely to use cigarettes than cisgender youth.
Cigarette smoking by the numbers: 20.5% of LGB adults, 34.9% of trans adults, and 15.3% of straight adults.
  • Group of people marching in Pride parade with rainbow flag

    UMD-PRC Community Needs Assessment

    report
  • Person holding e-cigarette with rainbow-colored case

    Big Tobacco Targets the LGBTQ+ Community

    NEWS ARTICLE
  • Young BIPOC person with rainbow face paint and head resting on hand

    Data: Queer Tobacco Use by the Numbers

    FACT SHEET