Smoke-Free CNY warns LGBTQ community of menthol cigarettes – Spectrum News
Health leaders and advocates for the LGBTQ community are taking a stand across the state against what they say is the tobacco industry’s continued targeting of the LGBTQ community for menthol cigarette use.
“The tobacco industry has advertised in gay publications. They have sponsored Pride events, and they have donated to HIV and AIDS organizations to target the LGBTQ community,” Onondaga County Health Department Public Health Educator Rachael Russell said.
It began in the 1990s, according to Russell.
What You Need To Know
- Health leaders say the LGBTQ community and other minority groups are targeted by the tobacco industry for menthol cigarette use
- According to the CDC, the marketing campaigns have led to the groups being more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes than other population groups
- Awareness of the dangers is important, but advocates say there are additional measures to take to discourage the community from smoking
“There was an internal marketing plan called Project SCUM that was released by one of the tobacco companies, and that was a marketing plan intended to boost cigarette sales among the gay population,” Russell said.
Smoke-Free CNY is participating in the “It’s Not Just” campaign to help educate the public of the dangers of menthol cigarettes, a product with flavors that mask the harshness of tobacco.
Health officials say that makes it easier for someone to start smoking and harder to quit. Russell also said the minty flavor of menthol cigarettes can cause the tobacco user to inhale deeper.
The director of Rochester LGBTQ+ Together said the LGBTQ community is more prone to use tobacco products for various reasons. Russell said the average smoking rate in New York state is 12.8%.
“When you have a group that’s marginalized and oppressed and you’re going to have higher rates of bullying and harassment and discrimination, and a lot of studies have found that that stress pushes more folks into use of tobacco products and so forth,” said Rochester LGBTQ+ Together Director Braden Reese.
Reese said Rochester LGBTQ+ Together held a workshop last year on the dangers of smoking and vaping. While awareness of the issue is important, he said addressing deeper issues can also go a long way.
“Ultimately, that’s going to be what successfully lowers the use of these products, is decreasing discrimination and harassment and bullying of our community. When the stress level goes down, the desire for some of these products, I think, will go down as well,” said Reese.
Reese said there are social pressures associated with smoking as well.
The Onondaga County Health Department plans to speak against menthol cigarettes.
“This campaign will be used in movie trailers as well as on social media, and we are looking to partner with some local LGBTQ organizations to do some education as well,” said Russell.