LGBTQI+ Populations

Did you know?

• Tobacco use is higher for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex (LGBTQI+) population than their straight peers.
• The LGBTQI+ smoking rate is higher than the national average.
• Stigma from peers cause stress for the LGBTQI+ which can lead them to smoke.
• LGBTQI+ youth smoke more because of peer pressure, bullying and rejection of family and friends.
• Tobacco companies use ads, bar promotions, and giveaways to get LGBTQI+ to smoke.
• Smoking a half a pack per day costs more than $1,000 per year on average.

You can do it!

• Don’t let smoking be a solution for stress or let it define who you are.  Express yourself with activities that make a statement about what’s important to you. 
• When you are ready to quit, Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com

10 Reminders for when it feels like a drag to become a non-smoker:

1. A toothpick to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others and yourself.
2. A rubber band to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out.
3. A band aid to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s.
4. A pencil to remind you to list what you are grateful for every day.
5. An eraser to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay.
6. A paper clip to remind you that you don’t have to hold it together by yourself.
7. Chewing gum to remind you to stick with it.
8. A candy mint to remind you that you are worth a mint to your loved-ones.
9. A candy kiss to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug every day. 
10. A tea bag to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of things you are grateful for.

^{*Taken from Last Drag Curriculum}

Local LGBTQI+ Community Resources:

• Home | Our Center (ourcenterreno.org)
• http://spectrumnv.org  
• Northern Nevada Hopes LGBTQ+ Health

National LGBTQI+ Resources:

• LGBT HealthLink: The Network for Health Equity.
• Outlast Tobacco - National LGBT Cancer Network (cancer-network.org)

Smoking is the largest preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, and the LGBTQI+ population smoke at much higher rates than average.  Learn more about what smoking does to the LGBTQI+ communities by watching this short video.  Presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Smoking Within the LGBTQI+ Community

 

^{Infographic from the LGBTQ Health Link}