LGBTQ2IA+

Looking to change your relationship with tobacco?

The National Cancer Institute has FREE resources to help with quitting smoking:
- Sign up for SmokefreeTXT by texting AUSTIN to 47848
- quitSTART is a free app. Learn more and how to download here.
Call the Texas Quitline at 1-(877)-YES-QUIT or chat with a quit coach online
- FREE phone or web counseling
- See if you qualify for up to eight weeks of FREE nicotine replacement therapy
- Help us keep the Texas Quitline safe and affirming! Share your experience through the Texas Quitline website or by emailing the LGBT Cancer Network
Quitlines in other languages:
- Spanish: 1-855-DEJELO-YA
- Mandarin and Cantonese: 1-800-838-8917
- Korean: 1-800-556-5564
- Vietnamese: 1-800-778-8440
Young people (13-24) can text VAPEFREETX to 88709 to receive free, anonymous, 24/7 support to quit vaping.
Parents of young vapers can text QUIT to 202-899-7550 to receive messages designed specifically for them
Out Youth’s Tobacco Cessation Resources Page
Build your own quit plan!
What you eat, where you live, and how you move all impact your health. Find social services (food, housing, transportation and more) through United Way for Greater Austin’s ConnectATX
Check out our new coloring and activity book for adults! Print yours today!

*Note: We acknowledge that there is an important difference between traditional, spiritual tobacco use and commercial tobacco. The information discussed on this page refers to commercial tobacco products, not tobacco that is used by American Indians and Alaska Natives for ceremonial, religious, and/or medicinal purposes. Learn more from Keep it Sacred.

Facts

Predatory Tobacco Marketing

The tobacco industry has always used predatory marketing strategies to target LGBTQ2IA+ communities, low-income, and communities of color to keep us addicted to tobacco.
- In 1995, the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company (the corporation behind Newport and Camel) created a marketing strategy called “Project SCUM” to boost cigarette sales by targeting LGBTQ2IA+ community members and people experiencing homelessness with tobacco discounts, advertisements, and displays placed in communities and stores.
- Now, the tobacco industry openly targets LGBTQ2IA+ community members, placing ads in popular publications that twist cherished community values, like freedom, choice, and pride, manipulating them to make smoking seem appealing and a part of the community fabric.
More money is spent on commercial tobacco products, like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco, than on LGBTQ+ equality and justice initiatives nation-wide, – National LGBT Cancer Network, Surgeon General

LGBTQ2IA+ Health

LGBTQ+ people deserve a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible—free from the harm that commercial tobacco can cause,
Tobacco is a social justice issue. Those with minority identities that experience a combination of homophobia, transphobia, racism, and other forms of discrimination are more likely to have higher rates of tobacco use,
Access to quality, evidence-based gender-affirming care is important and can be lifesaving for some members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community. Tobacco use can negatively impact the experiences of people who decide to transition by using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and/or receiving surgeries.
When combined with HRT, tobacco and nicotine—whether consumed via e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, or smokeless products—can increase the risk of blood clots and other harmful health outcomes,
Tobacco and nicotine can lower the effectiveness of medications, including the hormones that some transgender, gender-expansive, and intersex people use for HRT,
Tobacco companies target LGBTQ2IA+ communities and use sexual images to make tobacco use and vaping seem sexy, but did you know that tobacco use can decrease pleasure? Tobacco use is linked to a lowered sex drive, issues with fertility, and decreased physical pleasure.

Want to learn more?

Here are some great places to check out if you want to learn more about LGBTQ2IA+ tobacco prevention:

Looking to get involved?

Are you passionate about LGBTQ2IA+ community health? Are you tired of seeing the commercial tobacco industry target LGBTQ2IA+ communities, events, and individuals? Email Shimarah Mehrotra to sign up for the Breathe With Pride newsletter or to find out more about how you can join Austin Public Health in the fight to end the harms caused by the tobacco industry.