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.

Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs data showed that illegal cigarettes and vape products seized during the first seven months of 2026 were valued at about PHP11.68 billion, exceeding the PHP2.516 billion recorded for the full year of 2025. The figures were disclosed by a Bureau of Customs official during a House Committee on Ways and Means hearing on tobacco excise tax reforms. Vape-related seizures were valued at about PHP1.65 billion, with most cases recorded at the Manila International Container Port. Customs officials said enforcement against illicit tobacco trade would continue.
Aug.26
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has introduced the Ploom AURA Glacier White heated tobacco device in Japan, adding a new color option to the existing Ploom AURA lineup. The device maintains the existing SMART HEATFLOW technology and HEAT SELECT SYSTEM with four heating modes, while expanding the ecosystem through new accessories including front panels, back covers, a car holder and wireless charging covers. The product entered pre-sale in Japan on June 30, 2026, followed by broader retail availability from July 7.
Aug.03
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
Australia’s Daily Smoking Rate Falls to Record Low of 5.8% as Nicotine Use Patterns Shift
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey, daily smoking among Australians aged 18 and over fell to a record low of 5.8% in 2025. Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia now has around 500,000 fewer daily smokers than three years ago and credited the government’s vaping reforms as part of broader progress. Among people aged 14 and over, daily smoking declined from 8.3% in 2022-23 to 5.6% in 2025. Daily vaping rates stabilised at 3.6%, while the government also moved to further restrict access to nicotine pouches through unapproved therapeutic import pathways.
Jul.21
Science | International Experts Propose a New Smoking Cessation Pathway, Citing Higher Quit Rates With E-Cigarettes Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Science | International Experts Propose a New Smoking Cessation Pathway, Citing Higher Quit Rates With E-Cigarettes Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy
A new expert paper in JAMA urges U.S. clinicians to include nicotine e-cigarettes in smoking-cessation discussions, citing higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy. It also stresses that products must deliver enough nicotine to replace cigarettes, dual use should be brief, and complete switching is the goal. 2Firsts argues the recommendations matter beyond clinics: public-health professionals should reassess relative risk, regulators should preserve sufficient product appeal for adult smokers, and manufacturers should focus on helping users quit cigarettes more sustainably.
SCIENCE
Aug.03 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is expanding its Ploom heated product ecosystem with LYO tobacco-free nicotine sticks. Designed specifically for Ploom devices, LYO contains nicotine but no tobacco. Public information shows that the product has gradually entered several European markets, including Spain, Portugal and Germany, and was officially introduced in Romania in July 2026. The launch highlights JTI’s efforts to explore broader nicotine consumable formats beyond traditional tobacco-based sticks.
JTI
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03