Prevalence of use and perceptions of risk of novel and other alternative tobacco products among sexual minority adults: Results from an online national survey, 2014–2015

Abstract

Sexual minority (lesbian, gay, and bisexual [LGB]) populations experience disparities in cigarette use, but sparse evidence exists about novel and other alternative tobacco product use. In this study, we compared rates of novel and other alternative tobacco product use, risk perceptions, and worldview between LGB and heterosexual (HET) adults. An online survey administered in 2014–2015, using a weighted probability sample of 11,525 U.S. adults, assessed awareness of tobacco products; ever and current use of e-cigarettes, cigars, little cigars and cigarillos, and hookahs; perceptions of e-cigarettes; and worldview (individualism vs. communitarianism). Bivariate and adjusted multivariable analyses were performed to determine differences between LGB and HET groups. In the adjusted analyses, LGB adults were 1.5 times more likely to have ever used e-cigarettes (95% CI 1.2–1.9) and 1.9 times more likely to have ever used hookahs (95% CI 1.5–2.4) as compared to HET adults. A lower percentage of LGB adults, as compared to HET adults (16.7% vs. 19.2%), believed that exposure to vapors from e-cigarettes was “harmful” and reported that they “did not know” of any harm (35.1% vs. 39.8%). LGB were 20% less likely than were HET adults to endorse an individualistic worldview. These results suggest that a disparity exists, whereby LGB adults are more likely to have used e-cigarettes and hookahs. In addition, although vapor from e-cigarettes contains nicotine and other chemicals, LGB adults are less likely to perceive exposure to secondhand vapor as harmful. Tailored awareness campaigns and interventions are needed to convey the risks and curb use of these products.

Education Level and Cigarette Smoking: Diminished Returns of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals

“…We know that LGB people (particularly LGBT smokers) are more likely to be exposed to and interact with tobacco-related messages on social media than non-LGBT people [51]. In addition, LGB people may also have lower perceived harm associated with some tobacco products [52]. LGBs are less likely to have health insurance, which may be needed for tobacco treatment counseling [53].…”

Harm perceptions of electronic cigarettes and nicotine: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey of young people in Great Britain

“…Over the past decade, there have been many studies assessing the relative harm perceptions of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes. Depending on the sample, year of data collection, and country, the proportion who accurately perceive that e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes varies between 17% and 82% ( Adkison et al, 2013 ; Ambrose et al, 2014 ; Amrock et al, 2015 ; Anand et al, 2015 ; Brose et al, 2015 ; Eastwood et al, 2017 ; Majeed et al, 2017 ; McNeill et al, 2018 ; Nayak et al, 2017 ; Persoskie et al, 2017 ; Richardson et al, 2014 ; Thrasher et al, 2016 ; Yong et al, 2017 ). In adults from the U.S. ( Majeed et al, 2017 ) and Great Britain ( Brose et al, 2015 ; McNeill et al, 2018 ), it appears that e-cigarettes are being perceived as increasingly harmful over time.…”

Tobacco harm perceptions and use among sexual and gender minorities: findings from a national sample of young adults in the United States

“…National Cancer Institute, 2017) may alter tobacco harm perceptions among this population by making tobacco use appear more normative. One study used a nationally representative sample of adults to examine differences in risk perceptions of e-cigarettes between lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual adults (Nayak et al, 2017). In bivariate analyses, a smaller proportion of LGB adults believed vapors from e-cigarettes to be harmful compared to heterosexual adults.…”