This year’s Pride Month theme is Strength in Solidarity, reminding us of ways we can support the LGBTQIA+ community and their struggle against injustice. Our focus is to help people quit smoking, as tobacco manufacturers have a long history of targeting marginalized communities in its marketing campaigns. Since the 1950s, they have encouraged smoking among the LGBTQIA+ through advertisements, partnerships with community role models, and event sponsorships. The message is that picking up a cigarette (or a vape) will help you find or further fit into your community.
A 2016 study showed that 20.5 percent of LGB adults smoke cigarettes compared to only 15.3 percent of heterosexual adults, and that transgender adults have the highest population of smokers (almost 35 percent). The negative influence extends to transgender youth, who are four times more likely to use tobacco and cigarettes and three times more likely to use e-cigarettes compared to cisgender youth. Individuals at the intersections of all these communities suffer the physical, mental and financial consequences of tobacco consumption.
Our grant program, New York City Treats Tobacco (NYCTT), housed at GPH and funded by the NY State Bureau of Tobacco Control, partners with healthcare systems across NYC to support patients with evidence-based treatment and resources. Equipping health centers with resources to address tobacco use will provide members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are looking to quit smoking or vaping the support to do so successfully. NYCTT has fostered relationships with health systems proud to serve the LGBTQIA+ community, such as St. Mary’s Center in Harlem, Project STAY, Pride Center of Staten Island, and Ryan Health.
We made sure to once again attend NYC Pride and host a booth at NYC PrideFest, where team members and our partners from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the NY State Smokers’ Quitline, and Advancing Tobacco Free Communities provided attendees with educational materials, quitting resources and connections to certified tobacco treatment specialists.
Living in solidarity with your community increases the potential for health and joy, and standing up against the tobacco and vaping companies that unjustly target LGBTQIA+ people for profit can improve the health of everyone impacted.
Avani Bhatnagar, MPH, CHES
Project Coordinator, New York City Treats Tobacco
Jacqueline Saltarelli, MPH
Assistant Director, New York City Treats Tobacco