There are three major topics of discussion about strengthening LGBT health: reducing HIV, enhancing mental wellness, and ending the suicide pandemic. However, smoking is another problem that needs to be addressed for LGBT people. In an unexpected twist, the vape juice available in Canada and electronic cigarettes may be a promising first move toward reducing tobacco’s strain on the LGBTQ community.
The Issue of Cigarette Smoking
LGBT individuals out-smoke the remaining members of society by 68%, which comes as expected for those who live in the LGBT population. This means that a large proportion (1 out of 5) of people in the community are more likely to develop cancer, cardiovascular disease, or lung disease.
Despite many years of attempts by officials to tax cigarettes out of reach and limit the locations where smoking is permitted, the problem continues. Even drugstore owners who announced that they would no longer sell tobacco products were unable to curb the habit.
In the face of futile strategies, the USDA has launched an anti-smoking campaign named “This Free Life” to specifically address LGBT smoking. By uniting relatable tales, the campaign hopes to overcome the community’s typical opposition to anti-tobacco messaging.
How Vaping May Help LGBTQ Community Members
A 2016 research in the United Kingdom found that the use of e-cigarettes is much more recommended than traditional cigarettes. This is mainly because users inhale relatively safer vapor rather than carcinogenic smoke.
In addition, in an eight-month study conducted in Belgium, researchers discovered that e-cigarettes assisted 44% of smokers in reducing their tobacco intake. Some were even able to completely get rid of it. In fact, other studies indicate that quitting smoking isn’t the only reason LGBT people vape.
According to a survey, the particular social pressures that LGBT young people face may influence their decision to vape. The survey did not explicitly look into discrimination-related stresses, but the examiners note that such pressures may play a role.
The study’s results highlight vaping habits in the LGBT community as well as how people in this group perceive anti-smoking campaigns. Knowing why LGBTQ people smoke and what might be more successful in getting them to quit would help inform strategies for tackling the health risks presented by smoking.
Last Words
E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are far from ideal for tackling the hazards of cigarette smoking. However, a less-than-perfect solution is preferable to no alternative, particularly when dealing with minority groups such as the LGBT community.
These people are especially reluctant to other lessons of harm reduction and are more vulnerable to the complications caused by traditional cigarettes. They owe it to themselves to learn about every possible option for tobacco harm reduction until society successfully eradicates cigarette smoking.
