Research shows that individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual, particularly women, are more likely to respond positively to tobacco marketing, have a higher tendency to smoke daily, and may face challenges when trying to quit. In the Middle East, smoking rates are significantly higher among women compared to men, with smoking a shisha pipe being a common practice.
The studies, published in the Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health and Preventive Medicine Reports, examine how LGBTQ individuals engage with tobacco marketing, their smoking habits, and their history of quitting using large national datasets in the US.
Ollie Ganz, a researcher at Rutgers Health, highlighted the importance of these findings for shaping future policies.
Smoking hookah pipe
Why is it important to study how sexual minority populations respond to tobacco marketing?
Studies indicate that sexual minority individuals are more likely to use tobacco products than heterosexual individuals, possibly due to targeted marketing. Understanding their receptiveness to marketing is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Ollie Ganz
What did the study uncover about tobacco marketing and sexual minority individuals?
The study found that lesbian/gay and bisexual women were more receptive to tobacco marketing, with bisexual women showing higher receptiveness to various tobacco products compared to heterosexual women. Gay men showed higher receptiveness to cigar and e-cigarette advertising.
How can these findings influence future policies?
Understanding the marketing dynamics among sexual minorities is crucial for crafting targeted tobacco control policies and interventions. Tailored support for quitting smoking is particularly important for sexual minority women, especially bisexual women.
