The LGBT community has the highest rate of smoking ... more than any other minority population, according to a report in the New York Times.  One survey, in fact, found that 48.5% of gay and bisexual men reported smoking, compared to the national average of 28.6% for straight men.

Said one LGBT forum participant, "Tobacco is part of the culture.  In bars, it is a way to meet people, the community norm, a social lubricant."

The percentage of gay teenagers who use tobacco is even more shocking: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a whopping 59% of teenagers who classify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported using tobacco, compared to 45% of "straight" teens.  What's more, gay teens are significantly more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors across the board!

We hope that these materials, many from YouTube and the Gay American Smoke Out, will help you to consider the impact that smoking has on your health, along with the impressions your smoking has on others.

Dudes & Damsels, Check 'Em Out ...

Smokin' TV Clips  The greatest creative minds and talents produced these controversial commercials.  Warning: Watching them may gross you out and be harmful but healthy for your health!

iQuit is a free, LGBT Internet-based smoking cessation study 

Project S.C.U.M.  How  a tobacco company targeted the gay and lesbian -- and homeless -- communities.  Real bad stuff here.  Disgusting!

How Queers Quit

Gay Teens and Smoking  According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gay teens are significantly more likely than straight teens to engage in high-risk behaviors. 

Study: Bisexual and Lesbian Girls More Likely to Puff

More Gay Teens Turn to Drugs & Alcohol 

Youth Guardian Services is a youth-run organization that provides support services on the Internet to LGBTQ and straight youth.

Created by Adcovates for Youth for LGBTQ youth to safely explore sexuality and issues of concern to the LGBTQ community, the YouthResource Web Site offers "web rings" and dedicated pages for LGBTQ youth from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

A web site community for LGBTQ youth and those who care about them, OutProud (the National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth) offers publications, personal stories, youth forums, Q&As, recommendations, and other resources. 

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