“Smoke Free GLBT” is a task force of GLBT community centers in Colorado, including The Pride Center of Colorado Springs. It was created to develop an anti-tobacco campaign to address prevention, cessation, and second-hand smoke issues in Colorado’s GLBT population. It is the goal of the program to use education, support and social marketing to inspire individuals to make positive changes in their health behavior.
…that the GLBT population has a higher tobacco use rate than the population at large resulting in increased exposure, illness, and rate of death?
• A 1999 report in the American Journal of Public Health found that 41.5% of gay men smoke compared to 28% of men in the general population.
• A 2000 study of lesbian and bisexual women reported smoking rates of 37% for lesbians opposed to 14% of mainstream women (Archives of Family Medicine).
• A variety of recent studies of HIV-AIDS patients report use rates ranging from 45 to 60%.
• 50% of people identifying as bisexual are smokers.
• A 2003 study conducted by the University of Minnesota found that over 50% of participants in their transgender clinic were current or past smokers and the rate of current smokers was twice of those in the general population. The fact that these participants were also receiving hormone therapy creates an elevated level of concern with the higher associative risks.
• 59% GLBT youth are smokers according to the CDC.
American Legacy Foundation’s “Final Report for the GLBT Forum” states that several factors appear to contribute to increased rates of smoking among the GLBT population, including:
• Higher stress levels
• The role of bars as a social outlet
• Reduced access to health care
• Targeted marketing efforts by the tobacco industry.
How You Can Get Involved Now
Take Our Survey!
It has been suspected that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered population (GLBT) smoke at much higher rates than the general population…
Why is this? Is it true? Does it affect you?
One problem is that health studies rarely ask about sexual or gender orientation and unfortunately the few that have been interested in sexual orientation have often had serious methodological flaws!
Truly representative studies on the health of the GLBT community are rare and needed! Please help us learn more! The more we learn, the better our community can be served.
If you are GLBT and smoke, please click here and take 10 minutes to fill out the survey. Thank you for your participation, for it is sorely needed!
Our Goal – Your Health!
We are working towards preventing initial use of tobacco by youth, significantly increase cessation among youth and adults, and to decrease secondhand smoke exposure to youth and adults. In the Fall of 2007 we will begin offering classes to help you quit!
Resources to Help You Quit
Colorado Quitline
1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
Colorado QuitNet
www.co.quitnet.com
Aspen Leaf Natural Health Center
719.635.2050
Jan Naugle, ND
Treatment includes lifestyle counseling, a nutrition program and supplements to
decrease cravings.
Nicotine Anonymous World Services First Congregational Church
719.632.3990
Free evening group classes available weekly.
Please contact Dara via email or by calling 719-471-4429 if you need Youth or Military resources.
For more information on Smoke Free GLBT please contact Dara Hoffman at The Pride Center of Colorado Springs by phoning 719-471-4429.
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