Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Community-level determinants of tobacco use disparities in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth
According to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth are less likely to use tobacco if they are surrounded by a supportive social network. Researchers used the cross-sectional 2006-2008 Oregon Healthy Teens survey responses to understand the students’ social environment by determining the presence of same-sex couples, gay-straight school alliances, and school policies that protect LGB students. Tobacco use within the past month among the students was also measured. The results show that a supportive social environment reduces the odds of an LGB youth using tobacco. The authors suggest that community-level interventions are needed to reduce the smoking rates in LGB youth. Read the study abstract here.

Epidemiology of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use among South Asian Immigrants in the Northeastern United States
According to a study published in the Journal of Oncology, South Asian males from New Jersey have the highest rates of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use compared to other races. Researchers used data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to learn about cigarette and smokeless tobacco use among those who live in the Northeast. The results show that 2.7% of South Asian men from New Jersey used SLT, although there were differences between nationalities. The authors suggest that more studies on the South Asian population are necessary to understand different patterns of tobacco use and drive more effective cessation interventions. Click here to read more about the research, or view the study abstract here.

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