Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103482

Naphtali Offen, BS, Elizabeth Smith, PhD, and Ruth E. Malone, RN, PhD, FAAN. Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0612, San Francisco, CA 94143-0612, 415-514-3133, naph@itsa.ucsf.edu

Tobacco industry philanthropy and advertising to marginalized populations may minimize tobacco control efforts in targeted communities. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) smoking rates are higher than the general population. LGBTs may be vulnerable to industry attention. To learn how LGBTs view tobacco industry attention, we conducted 19 focus groups with LGBT adults in 4 cities May 2003-October 2004. Comments were solicited on relevant tobacco industry documents and other materials pertaining to industry outreach to LGBTs. A majority of participants (both smokers and nonsmokers) was untroubled by industry targeting of the LGBT community. Most viewed tobacco company marketing to the community as "just business". Some expressed admiration for industry tactics, viewing attention from major corporations as a sign that the LGBT community had "arrived". Even those characterizing the industry as immoral indicated they valued corporate recognition, especially financial support for organizations. Smoking was viewed as an individual choice; few believed that advertising influenced that choice or had considered how philanthropy legitimized the industry. Several expressed the idea that tobacco was not a major health issue for the LGBT community, suggesting that alcohol killed more people. The tobacco industry is an accepted presence in LGBT communities and tobacco is unrecognized as an LGBT health issue. To counter this, advocates should educate the community about industry efforts to normalize smoking, legitimize the industry, and suppress discussion about addiction and disease. Emphasizing industry manipulation, especially in contrast to "choice", could spur support for smokefree LGBT community initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify the ways in which the tobacco industry targets the LGBT community.
  7. Describe the most common responses expressed by LGBT focus group participants to industry targeting.
  11. Discuss strategies for countering industry influence in the LGBT community.

Keywords: Lesbian Health, Tobacco Industry

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.