LGBTQ+ Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative
According to data from researchers in West Virginia University's School of Public Health and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health's Division of Tobacco Prevention, nearly 41 percent of people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community smoke, compared to 23.9 percent of the state's general population. While research has not determined a reason for the higher rates, tobacco advertising and stressors play a role. Stressors, including bullying and homophobia, can drive people to smoke. Smoking is about stress, and without being comfortable to talk about stressors, including societal pressures related to sexual orientation, a person isn't likely to successfully quit smoking.
The WV Division of Tobacco Prevention partners with The National LGBTQ Cancer Network to promote tobacco cessation prevention and cancer LGBTQ cancer survivors. The Network is striving to collect as much LGBTQ data as possible. There is an article titled Advancing Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity (SOGI) Measures in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System outlining the importance collecting this specific data. The Network has also scored West Virginia on its current status of inclusive Best Practices.
New in September 2022 - University of Michigan Issue Brief "Tobacco Use among Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQ+)
Resources:
Out: The National Cancer Survey
Research that Matters: The Impact of Stigma and Discrimination Against LGBT People in West Virginia, February 2021.
A new Resource for LGBTQI population from the National LGBT Cancer Network. Outlast Tobacco.
Contact Kay Albright at Covenant House for additional information regarding the LGBTQ+ tobacco cessation program. kalbright@wvcovenanthouse.org.
LGBTQ+ Resources to Download for Your Use.
1. Informational Rack Card Page One. Informational Rack Card Page Two.
2. Cabell County Resource Guide.
3. LGBTQ+ Health
4. LGBTQ+ Cancer Peer Support Groups
