New CDC Feature Article for Pride Month Focuses on Reducing Smoking within the LGBTQ+ community

Pride means solidarity, community, and freedom to be yourself. CDC has released a new feature article with information on how everyone can help reduce smoking and tobacco use among LGBTQ+ people—not just during Pride Month but year-round.

About 1 in every 5 lesbian/gay/bisexual adults smoke cigarettes, and that number may be as high as 1 in 3 for transgender adults. There are many reasons for this, including stress related to prejudice and stigma and aggressive target marketing by tobacco companies that sponsor events, promotions, giveaways, and advertisements. 

Smoking causes illness, injury, and death. In this article, read about Brian I., a gay man who spoke to CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers® campaign about his smoking-related health struggles. You can also find strategies and support to help you quit, and find out what healthcare professionals, states, communities, and parents of LGBTQ+ kids can do to reduce smoking and promote health. In addition to Brain, the article also features Scout, Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network, whose organization works to identify and reduce tobacco-related and cancer prevention disparities for LGBTQ+ people.

 

Make sure to follow @CDCTobaccoFree on Twitter and visit the CDC Tobacco Free Facebook page for more updates.