GLBT adults are less likely to quit smoking

 

In recent times, there have been a number of studies that have found that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) adults face a variety of health problems that extend beyond their sexual health. These issues include higher rates of disability, physical and mental stress and insufficient access to healthcare services.

Now, researchers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center have found that GLBT adults who smoke do not think about quitting as much as heterosexual tobacco users do.

"Among most smoking populations, we almost always find 20 percent getting ready to quit and another 40 percent are thinking about quitting," said Arnold Levinson, Ph.D., the paper’s senior author. "But the rates from our study were half of what we expected."

According to researchers, more than 70 percent of GLBT smokers they surveyed had no plans of quitting. Furthermore, GLBT adults are twice as likely as heterosexual adults to be smokers.

The scientists found that some GLBT individuals wanted smoking cessation programs that acknowledged their sexual orientation, but most said traditional strategies may be effective in helping them quit.

"This diversity of preferences makes the GLBT smoker population just like any other smoker population – a group of individuals with varying needs and preferences for cessation strategies," said Levinson.

The researchers said that these findings suggest that public health officials should consider anti-smoking campaigns aimed at GLBT adults in non-clinical settings. Since the majority of survey respondents said they frequent GLBT bars and events and read GLBT publications, there could be an opportunity to get a stop-smoking message out through these venues.

Study authors added that there needs to be more done to promote smoke-free homes among this population. Only half of GLBT adults reported living in a home where smoking is not allowed indoors, and studies have shown that people who reside in a smoke-free environment are more likely to think about quitting.