Higher Smoking Rates in LGBT Population

SACRAMENTO, CA -- The California Department of Health Services (CDHS) today released the results of five population-based studies showing significantly higher smoking rates for the active military stationed in California, Korean men and those identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT), compared to the general California adult population. This first-ever population-specific data are in contrast to the state’s overall smoking prevalence, which is at historic lows. The new data also show that Chinese and Asian Indian Californians smoke at considerably lower rates than the general population.

The overall smoking prevalence in the LGBT community was 30.4 percent. The new data also show that LGBT women smoked almost triple (32.5 percent) that of general population women (11.9 percent). LGBT men smoked at 27.4 percent, significantly more than California men in general at 19.1 percent.

The highest smoking rates were among LGBT 18 to 24 year olds at 43.7 percent – 2.5 times the overall smoking rate of this age group in California at 16.6 percent. LGBT women 18 to 24 years old smoked at 47.0 percent, while men were close behind at 37.4 percent.

“California’s tobacco education programs have had great success in reducing the state’s overall smoking prevalence,” said Sandra Shewry, Director of CDHS. “These studies show marked disparities among California’s communities and confirm that we must continue our efforts so all of our communities can avoid the disease and death caused by tobacco addiction.”

The Governor’s budget this year includes a $3 million increase to support expanded tobacco control and smoking prevention activities. This includes $2.6 million in grants that will be made available to local community groups targeting special populations with high tobacco use rates.

“These studies are very enlightening and will help us to better target and focus our efforts,” said Dr. Howard Backer, interim state public health officer for CDHS.

The five studies were conducted between 2003 and 2004 and are the first by CDHS to look individually at the LGBT, active military, Korean, Chinese and Asian Indian populations. They were also the first statewide tobacco studies conducted both in English as well as Asian languages, such as Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi and Punjabi.