261914 Tobacco Use and Cessation among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Adults in the United States

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Valerie Rock, MPH , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Kat Asman, MPH , Statistics and Epidemiology Unit; Chronic & Infectious Disease Research Program, RTI International, Atlanta, GA
Heather Ryan, MPH , Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Nfn Scout, PhD , Network for LGBT Health Equity, The Fenway Institute, Boston, MA
Monique Young, MPH , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Evidence from small studies suggests that smoking prevalence in the LGB community is nearly double that of the general population. The higher prevalence of cigarette use in this group has been attributed to targeted marketing by the tobacco industry and stress related to prejudice and social stigma. This study seeks to provide the first estimates of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use and cessation-related behaviors among LGB adults from a national tobacco survey. Data were obtained from the 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS), a nationally representative telephone survey of tobacco use and behaviors among non-institutionalized adults aged 18 years and older. Consistent with previous findings, analyses showed that current cigarette smoking prevalence among gay/lesbian adults (29.5%; 95% CI: 25.1, 34.3) and bisexual adults (40.9%; 95% CI: 33.4, 48.9) was significantly higher than the prevalence among heterosexual adults (19.5%; 95% CI: 19.0, 20.1). The prevalence of current smokeless tobacco use was significantly lower for gay/lesbian adults (0.9%; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.0) and bisexual adults (1.4%; 95% CI: 0.8, 2.5) than heterosexual adults (3.5%; 95% CI: 3.3, 3.8). Among current cigarette smokers, there were no significant differences in the desire to quit smoking or the prevalence of quit attempts in the last 12 months by sexual orientation. The prevalence of receiving physician advice in the last 12 months to quit the use of any tobacco product did not differ by sexual orientation. Given the high prevalence of cigarette smoking in the LGB community, additional culturally-appropriate strategies to increase cessation may be needed.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
-Describe nationally representative estimates of tobacco product use and cessation among LGB adults in the United States. -Describe national LGBT health surveillance data limitations and opportunities.

Keywords: Tobacco, Special Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in the area of tobacco control and prevention for over 12 years and currently work as a Health Scientist in the Office on Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where I conduct research on disparities in tobacco use and cessation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.