Discrimination and Tobacco Use in LGBTQ Young Adults

Apr.20.2023
Discrimination and Tobacco Use in LGBTQ Young Adults
Tobacco Control is an international journal that studies the effects of tobacco on health, economy, environment, and society.

Tobacco Control is an international journal aimed at studying the nature and consequences of tobacco use worldwide, including its impact on population health, the economy, the environment, and society. The journal seeks to prevent and control the widespread use of tobacco through promoting public knowledge of tobacco, industry ethics, policy-making, and social activism by the tobacco industry and its allies, playing a positive role in these areas. On December 7, 2022, the journal published a paper entitled "Discrimination, Identity Connectedness and Tobacco Use in a Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults".


Source of image: The front page of the December 2022 issue of "Tobacco Control" journal, featuring an article on discrimination, identity affiliation, and smoking behavior among young adults in the LGBTQ community.


The summary of this paper can be translated into standard journalistic English as follows:


Title: Higher Tobacco Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations According to previous research in academia, a widely accepted viewpoint is that sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations have higher smoking rates than heterosexual or cisgender populations. However, there is little research exploring the smoking habits of different racial/ethnic SGM subgroups or the association between SGM-specific discrimination and identity with smoking behavior. A new study in the United States has shown that SGM populations have higher tobacco use rates compared to heterosexual populations. The study also found differences in tobacco use rates among SGM subgroups based on ethnicity and identity.


The research team includes experts and scholars Alex Budenz, Jennifer Gaber, Erik Crankshaw, Andie Malterud, Emily B Peterson, Dana E Wagner, and Emily C Sanders. These individuals come from various organizations, including the Center for Tobacco Products in the Office of Health Communication and Education at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Center for Health Analytics, Media and Policy at RTI International, and the Research Department at Rescue Agency.


Research methodology: This study surveyed 11,313 young American sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults to investigate the associations between different tobacco use methods (including traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco powder) and SGM sub-populations, race/ethnicity, SGM-specific discrimination, and identity. Data analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression models to predict the relationships between SGM sub-populations, race/ethnicity, SGM-specific discrimination, identity, and various tobacco use methods.


Investigation Results: The study revealed that there are differences in tobacco use among sub-groups of the sexual minority population and between different races/ethnicities. Female homosexuals (especially black female homosexuals) are more likely than average to use multiple tobacco products. White bisexuals and female homosexuals have a higher likelihood of smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes than the average. Severe discrimination is associated with the use of multiple tobacco products, and the more likely SGM groups are to identify with discrimination and tobacco use being positively correlated, the more likely they are to defend their smoking behavior as being reasonable.


Conclusion: This study found differences in tobacco use among SGM subgroups and among different races/ethnicities. Experiencing discrimination may be a risk factor for tobacco use behavior, while a strong sense of SGM identity may provide an explanatory role for certain tobacco use behaviors among gender and sexual minorities and those experiencing specific SGM discrimination. These findings can guide targeted approaches to reach SGM subgroups at higher risk for tobacco use. The researchers call for the development of more comprehensive and precise policies and interventions to eliminate the inequality surrounding this public health issue.


Reference:


Discrimination, Identity Connections, and Tobacco Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults: A Study


Related Reading:


【Science】Latest scientific research clarifies the link between nicotine addiction and human identity cognition.


A recent scientific experiment shows that the flavor of nicotine and marijuana-based electronic cigarette products is a factor in attracting more adolescents to try them.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Australia Tobacco Tax Debate Spreads Within Labor as NSW Premier Minns Reaffirms Support for a Cut
Australia Tobacco Tax Debate Spreads Within Labor as NSW Premier Minns Reaffirms Support for a Cut
Australia’s tobacco excise debate is increasingly exposing differences within the governing Labor Party. New South Wales Labor Premier Chris Minns reaffirmed on September 8 that he supports reducing tobacco excise, arguing that current tax settings are pushing consumers toward cheaper black-market cigarettes. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler continues to oppose an excise cut, while Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino have recently stopped short of ruling out future changes. The divergence follows the opposition Coalition’s proposal to cut tobacco excise by 80%.
Sep.08
Florida Governor DeSantis Expands TANF Restrictions, Blocking Welfare Benefits From Buying Tobacco and Vapes
Florida Governor DeSantis Expands TANF Restrictions, Blocking Welfare Benefits From Buying Tobacco and Vapes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an expansion of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) restrictions that would prohibit Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) funds from being used to purchase tobacco and vaping products. The state will amend its TANF State Plan and submit the changes for federal approval. Florida officials said the restrictions would not affect eligibility for temporary cash assistance or the amount of benefits received, but would change how funds can be spent.
Aug.25
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
BAT Expands ITC Infotech Partnership Across Poland, Romania and India to Advance AI
ITC Infotech has expanded its multi-year strategic technology partnership with British American Tobacco (BAT), providing technology services across Poland, Romania and India while continuing to support BAT's newly launched Future Capabilities Centre in India and existing technology hubs in Malaysia and Mexico. The companies said the agreement will focus on AI-enabled innovation, technology capability building and greater operational efficiency. The partnership also aligns with BAT's broader Fit2Win transformation programme, under which the group is expanding the use of external technology and business-services partners to simplify its global operating model.
Aug.13
Australia-China Operation Dismantles Tobacco Smuggling Network: 112 Containers, 60 Arrests and A$92 Million in Illicit Tobacco
Australia-China Operation Dismantles Tobacco Smuggling Network: 112 Containers, 60 Arrests and A$92 Million in Illicit Tobacco
According to The Maritime Executive on August 19, 2026, the Australian Border Force (ABF) and China’s Anti-Smuggling Bureau of General Administration of China Customs worked together to dismantle an international illicit tobacco smuggling network targeting Australia. According to information released by ABF on August 20, sustained information sharing and cooperation led to investigations into 112 shipping containers, with 91 found to contain illicit tobacco. Authorities seized more than 60 million cigarettes and 60 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, representing more than A$92 million in unpaid duties. More than 60 people suspected of involvement in the network were arrested in China.
Aug.20
China Tobacco Yunnan files patent for cellulose-free nicotine pouch scaffold to replace microcrystalline cellulose
China Tobacco Yunnan files patent for cellulose-free nicotine pouch scaffold to replace microcrystalline cellulose
China Tobacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for a cellulose-free scaffold material for nicotine pouches, proposing a combination of bioceramic material, polydextrose and sugar alcohols to replace conventional microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose derivatives. The filing aims to address issues including powdery mouthfeel, residue and limited release control, while also reducing reliance on existing cellulose-based patent portfolios. In patent examples, one fast-release formulation reached a nicotine release rate of 50% at 10 minutes and more than 90% at 20 minutes.
Sep.02