A comprehensive new report by the U.S. Surgeon General highlights a concerning trend: gay, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in the United States vape at significantly higher rates than their straight counterparts. Nearly 40% of LGB Americans have tried e-cigarettes, compared to 16.5% of straight individuals. For bisexual Americans, the number is even higher, nearing 50%.
This disparity is particularly pronounced among younger LGB individuals. According to the report, 42% of LGB young adults and 56% of high school students identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported vaping. These numbers surpass the 30.3% and 49.8% reported by straight young adults and high school students, respectively.
Vaping: A New Threat to Anti-Tobacco Progress
The report underscores a paradox in public health: while overall tobacco use has plummeted in the past five decades, vaping’s popularity, especially among marginalized communities, threatens this progress.
In 1965, 42.4% of Americans used tobacco, compared to just 11.5% today, representing a 30% decline. However, the rising use of e-cigarettes—classified in the report as e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookahs, vaping pens, and hookah pens—may undermine decades of anti-tobacco efforts.
“These and other noncombustible tobacco products such as nicotine pouches have the potential to erode our progress,” the report’s authors warn.
Health Risks of Vaping
E-cigarettes may lack the combustion of traditional tobacco products, but they are far from harmless. The American Lung Association points out that vaping devices produce dangerous chemicals like acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, which contribute to lung and heart disease.
Nicotine, common in both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, presents its own set of risks. Highly addictive, it can fuel anxiety, depression, and inhibit brain development in younger users.
Targeted Advertising: A Silent Culprit
The report highlights a troubling factor contributing to the disproportionate vaping rates among LGB individuals: targeted advertising. Tobacco companies have long marketed their products to LGBTQ+ communities, using queer media platforms to promote e-cigarettes.
These same corporations often make financial contributions to LGBTQ+ rights organizations and Pride initiatives, blurring the line between advocacy and exploitation.
A Disproportionate Health Burden
Kristy Marynak, a senior science adviser at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and co-editor of the report, called tobacco use “a singular health threat to LGBTQAI+ communities.”
“This report finds that nearly 1 in 5 of all deaths in the United States are caused by tobacco, and it shines a light on the disproportionate burden borne by certain communities, including LGBTQAI+ communities,” Marynak said.
The report identifies tobacco use as a pressing health equity issue, with the elevated vaping rates among LGB individuals exacerbating existing health disparities in this population.
The Path Forward
Advocates and public health experts stress the need for tailored anti-tobacco campaigns that address the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. These efforts must counteract targeted advertising and provide accessible resources for smoking cessation.
The stakes are high. With vaping now the most popular form of tobacco use among youth and young adults since 2014, experts warn that unchecked growth in e-cigarette use could jeopardize public health gains made over the last half-century.
Maria Garcia is an award-winning author who excels in creating engaging cannabis-centric articles that captivate audiences. Her versatile writing style allows her to cover a wide range of topics within the cannabis space, from advocacy and social justice to product reviews and lifestyle features. Maria’s dedication to promoting education and awareness about cannabis shines through in her thoughtfully curated content that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
