Secondhand smoke exposure among LGBT bar and nightclub patrons

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has a disproportionately higher smoking prevalence that may be reinforced by pro-smoking norms in social environments. We compared smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and attitudes toward smoke-free bar policies among LGBT and mainstream bar patrons. Methods: Randomized time location sampling surveys of young adults (age 18-30) attending LGBT (n=1291) and mainstream (n=1376) bars and nightclubs in Las Vegas, NV in 2011. Results: Participants were predominately college educated (65%), non-Hispanic (55% in LGBT venues and 58.8% in mainstream), and male (58.6% in LGBT; 54% mainstream). 72.1% of LGBT bar patrons self-identified as LGBT, as did 19.1% of mainstream bar patrons. Compared to heterosexual participants, LGBT individuals smoked at higher rates (44.7% vs 38.4%, p<.001). There was no difference in smoking rates in the LGBT and mainstream bar samples (44.8% vs. 44.6%). LGBT bar/nightclub patrons reported more SHS exposure in a bar/nightclub than mainstream patrons (82.4% vs. 73.1%, p<.001). Among LGBT bar/nightclub patrons, those who mostly or only attended LGBT bars/nightclubs were exposed to more SHS. There was no difference in support for bar/nightclub smoke-free policies between LGBT and mainstream bar/nightclub patrons, and 70% of both LGBT and mainstream bar patrons reported they would still go out to bars at least as frequently if smoking were prohibited. Conclusions: The policy environment in LGBT bars/nightclubs appears favorable for the enactment of smoke-free policies. Smoke-free bar/nightclub policies would protect patrons from secondhand smoke and promote a smoke-free social norm.