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.

Product | PMJ Adds Bold Ruby to IQOS ILUMA i Lineup in Japan, Convenience-Store Rollout Starts Sept. 29
Product | PMJ Adds Bold Ruby to IQOS ILUMA i Lineup in Japan, Convenience-Store Rollout Starts Sept. 29
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched Bold Ruby as a new regular color for the IQOS ILUMA i and IQOS ILUMA i ONE in Japan on September 16, 2026, priced at JPY 6,980 and JPY 3,980, respectively. Initial sales began through IQOS online and physical channels, with convenience stores and selected tobacco retailers set to follow from September 29. Bold Ruby is a regular rather than limited-edition colorway and is available for the ILUMA i and ILUMA i ONE, but not the ILUMA i PRIME. The release does not involve changes to the devices' core hardware or functions.
Sep.22
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania begins enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. The October 18 directory contained 163 product records from seven manufacturers, including Vuse, JUUL, NJOY, Logic and Naked 100. Geek Bar, RAZ and Lost Mary were absent. BAT, Altria, Japan Tobacco and JUUL collectively accounted for 112 records, or 68.7%, while Imperial Brands' blu had no listings. The directory included 15 disposable vape records, 40 bottled e-liquids and 10 products labeled 0mg, but no open-system refillable devices. Twenty-two manufacturer certifications remained under review. Four Logic models corresponding to Smoore's pending records were listed under the brand owner, while LYCO, OXBAR and Boulder/Rock had no approved directory entries.
Regulations
Oct.19
Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue is intensifying enforcement against illicit vape and tobacco products ahead of the Christmas shopping season, directing regional and enforcement offices to strengthen monitoring of production sites, warehouses, distribution channels and retail outlets. The BIR destroyed 240,550 illicit vape products in August with an estimated tax liability of about PHP1.53 billion. A nationwide tax-compliance operation in July also inspected 3,590 businesses involved in tobacco and vapor products.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
JUUL2 Sued Within a Week of FDA Authorization as AJ Marketing Alleges Infringement of Programmable Vape Patent
Less than a week after JUUL2 received U.S. FDA marketing authorization on August 28, 2026, JUUL Labs was sued for patent infringement in federal court in Delaware. AJ Marketing LLC filed the complaint on September 3, alleging that both JUUL 1 and JUUL2 infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,851,068 B2. The patent covers aspects of programmable electronic vaporization devices, including controls over dose delivery, usage frequency and operating parameters. The plaintiff is seeking reasonable royalties and ongoing royalties tied to the remaining life of the patent. JUUL has not yet publicly responded to the case.
Sep.10
Canada Health Minister Says She Is Not Considering Looser Nicotine Pouch Retail Rules as PMI-Linked Group Pushes for Wider Access
Canada Health Minister Says She Is Not Considering Looser Nicotine Pouch Retail Rules as PMI-Linked Group Pushes for Wider Access
Canadian Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she is not considering loosening retail restrictions on nicotine pouches. Canada regulates pouches containing 4 mg or less of nicotine per unit as non-prescription nicotine replacement therapy and requires newer NRT formats such as pouches to be sold from behind pharmacy counters. Meanwhile, Unsmoke Canada, linked to Philip Morris International's Canadian business, is pushing to allow pouches in convenience stores and other general retail outlets. Health Canada also acknowledges continued unauthorized sales, while recent research shows rising pouch use among Canadian youth aged 16 to 19.
Sep.24