The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69372

Francisco Buchting, PhD, Tobacco-Related Disease Researhc Program, University of Californian Office of the President, 300 Lakeside Drive, 6th floor, Oakland, CA 94612, 510/987/9883, francisco.buchting@ucop.edu and Robert Gordon, BS, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco Tobacco Free Project, 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Despite high smoking rates, targeted marketing by tobacco companies and tremendous health disparities, smoking has only recently began to be significantly addressed in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. The few surveillance studies conducted with LGBT consistently show higher rates of smoking than the general population. Little research has been conducted to understand the unique factors for LGBT related to smoking initiation, prevention and cessation. Panel members will provide the latest surveillance data for LGBT youth and adults in the USA and provide efficacy data for the cessation program, The Last Drag, which was specifically developed for the LGBT community.

Francisco Buchting will report on the prevalence of smoking among LGBT in the USA and the factors that lead to cigarette smoking among LGBT. Robert Gordon will present the Last Drag Cessation program and provide efficacy data on quit rates.

Learning Objectives:

• Narrate the surveillance data on LGBT and tobacco use, as well as understand the limitations of those studies.
• Identify factors specific to the LGBT community that may assist in prevention and cessation efforts.
• Describe the components for a LGBT specific smoking cessation program.

Keywords: Smoking, Underserved Populations

Related Web page: www.lastdrag.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.