LGBTs & Tobacco

1. LGBTs & Tobacco June 28, 2006 * Alderbrook, WA Scout, Ph.D. Director, T-Free The National LGBT Network for Tobacco Control and Prevention

2. Outline of Presentation • Impact • Case study: how they target us • Response • CDC + Legacy + RWJF + states • Next steps

3. Disproportionate impact In a recent full probability study (CA), LGBT men smoked 50% more than the general population, and LGBT women smoked almost 200% more than the general population.

4. We don’t feel targeted • In the survey above, 7 out of 10 LGBT men and 4 out of 5 LGBT women thought smoking was no bigger problem for LGBTs than everyone else • Despite record high prevalence rates reported by the same group.

5. Youth Impact • Surveys consistently show high impact among LGBT youth. • 1999 Growing Up Today Survey • 9.3 % of heterosexual v. 42.9% of lesbian/bi female adolescents • 8.2% of heterosexual v. 17.4% of “mostly heterosexual” male adolescents.8

6. Our leaders rarely see it as a priority • UCSF researchers found that only 17% of 75 LGBT community leaders listed tobacco as a top three LGBT health issue.

7. We’re not angry • When UCSF researchers conducted focus groups in the LGBT and African American communities they found that African Americans were primarily angry when shown depictions of tobacco industry targeting, while LGBTs were primarily grateful.

8. The toll Tobacco kills more LGBT people than any other health issue.

9. Case Study of Targeting

10. CA Prop 10 ballot initiative

11. Big Tobacco works together to plan opposition

12. And recruits an LGBT community leader

13. OK to target LGBTs, but not “minorities”

14. Check, how much money have they given us?

15. Offer people money

16. Create the timeline

17. Target LGBT civil rights group

18. Hit them again, and again

19. Target the LGBT media

20. Make a list of all media to blitz

21. Don’t forget any

22. I said don’t forget any

23. Not done yet

24. Aaaand, that’s it

25. It’s going to cost you

26. But you’ve already been watching LGBT media

27. Now, how will we sell this?

28. When LGBT leaders aren’t on board?

29. Themes that resonate with LGBTs • Lifestyle regulation • Government intrusion into private lives • Removing choice as an option for life decisions

30. Spend money, find the best pitch

31. Actually spend lots of money

32. Work at home and earn $15k in 2 months!

33. No we said spend LOTS of money

34. And……. Still lose • In a “heartbreakingly close” vote, Proposition 10 passes in 1998.

35. Another brief example

36. Hire more LGBT consultants

37. Pay them

38. Get listings of LGBT events

39. Sign contracts to promote

40. Show CEM calendar

41. Response • CDC • Legacy • RWJF + states • Approximately 60 LGBT tobacco control projects nationwide at last count (2004)

42. Example DC CIA • Work with existing groups • Recruit LGBT leaders • Neutralize LGBT paid tobacco opposition • Pressure key alderman • Stand and be counted!

43. How can you help? • Document your lessons learned • Create new strategies others can use • Help create successes we can learn from • Participate in national organizational activities • Spread the tobacco control vibe around to yr national counterparts in LGBT

44. National Network for LGBT Tobacco Control Next event 4th LGBTI Anti-Tobacco Summit July 11th, Washington, DC.