A Comparison of Alternative Tobacco Product Usage, Knowledge and Beliefs Between the New York City Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community and Heterosexuals

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study comparing alternative tobacco product (ATP) usage, knowledge, and beliefs between the New York City lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and heterosexuals. The study collected data through a web-based anonymous survey administered through Google Forms and recruited participants through various LGBTQ community organizations. The survey contained questions on current, former, and experimental tobacco use, beliefs about ATPs, sources of knowledge about ENDS, stress, microaggressions, and general demographic characteristics.

Key Points:

* The study found that heterosexuals were introduced to smoking at an earlier age than LGBTQ individuals.
* Social networks, particularly friends, were influential in introducing LGBTQ individuals to smoking.
* On average, respondents knew of eight different tobacco products, regardless of sexual identity.
* More heterosexuals reported trying hookah, snus, and roll your own cigarettes than LGBTQ individuals.
* There were statistically significant results between LGBTQ and heterosexual respondents regarding beliefs about ATPs and ENDS being as satisfying as cigarettes.
* There was no significant association between knowledge of tobacco products and current use.
* Recruitment bias may have been present as participants were recruited through email and social media channels of LGBTQ community organizations.

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that despite low prevalence of current smoking among the NYC LGBTQ population, experimentation and knowledge of ATPs is elevated. The study suggests that social networks and communication may be associated with knowledge of ATPs and subsequent experimentation. More research is needed to understand the impact of social networks and the upcoming FDA regulations on the usage of these products among the LGBTQ community. The study highlights the importance of considering the influence of social networks in smoking cessation interventions for the LGBTQ community.

Jannat-Khah, Deanna P., Simone A. Reynolds, LeConté J. Dill, and Michael A. Joseph. “A Comparison of Alternative Tobacco Product Usage, Knowledge and Beliefs Between the New York City Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community and Heterosexuals.” Journal of Community Health 42, no. 5 (October 2017): 903–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0332-9.