Happy Friday all. Here on the Out Front blog, we often take the time to point out smart communications campaigns that effectively target the LGBT community. Sometimes, we talk about our own work. Today is one of those days.
Today in the United States, approximately 43.4 million adults and 4.5 million adolescents smoke.Despite known health risks, new individuals become smokers every day. Nearly 6,000 youth under the age of 18 start smoking each day, with 2,000 actually becoming regular smokers.
The LGBT population has a higher smoking rate than any other minority population. Some research estimates that members of the LGBT community smoke cigarettes at rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent higher than the heterosexual population.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 80 percent of adult smokers initiated the habit prior to turning 18 years of age. Sadly, the percentage of LGBT youth using tobacco is growing at an alarming rate. While 28 percent of straight youth self-identify as smokers, nearly twice as many (59 percent) of LGBT youth classify themselves as smokers. In fact, LGBT youth are more likely to start smoking before the age of 13 than their heterosexual peers. With such a high number of LGBT youth using tobacco now, there is a far greater chance for them to become regular smokers as they transition into adulthood.
Studies have shown that LGBT youth are at higher risk than heterosexual youth to experience low self-esteem, feelings of alienation, depression and substance abuse issues; all of which are directly correlated to tobacco initiation and use. And let's face it– we don't need studies to tell us why we smoke when we are young and gay. It's an outlet to relieve stress. Some have smoking, I had show choir (which didn't help the "gay" label at the time…)
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