According to the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network, an organization that works to support the many local tobacco control advocates to eliminate health disparities for all LGBTs, the LGBTQ communities smoke at rates that are from 40 to nearly 200 percent higher than the general population. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 30,000 LGBTQ people die every year of tobacco-related illnesses.

Even more astounding than that statistic was a recent national study on adolescent health that indicated that 45 percent of females and 35 percent of males who reported same-sex attraction or behavior smoked; the percentage was only 29 for the rest of the youth.

The National LGBT Tobacco Network’s website offers more sobering facts like these, including some information about how tobacco companies have specifically targeted LGBT populations for their products. (This one truly disgusted me: An early tobacco industry document that described the plan for increasing sales among San Francisco’s gay and homeless population was labeled “Project SCUM.”) If you’re motivated – and ready – to find out more facts like this, click here.

It’s hard to imagine a gay or lesbian bar or club that is not filled with smoke (or in the case of Connecticut, and many other states, a bar or club entrance or exit door that is not surrounded by smokers). But smoking and tobacco do not have to be a part of LGBT life. If you’re ready to begin the journey to a tobacco-free life, please contact Seph Mayo at AIDS Project New Haven (APNH) to find out what services they provide. Beginning in January of 2010 APNH will begin to provide tobacco use cessation services to the LGBT community – regardless of your HIV status. Components of the program include individual and group counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (a whole range of products and medications) at no cost to program participants. APNH will be collaborating with the New Haven Pride Center on this program. The details are not finalized but if you are interested please contact Seph Mayo at 203-624-0947 ext. 227 or send an email to Nick Boshnack.

The tobacco use cessation program is the newest program at APNH – and the first to provide comprehensive services regardless of HIV status. Established programs for individuals who are HIV+ include case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, emergency financial assistance, outreach and education, transportation, home delivered meals and bimonthly support groups. If you are interested in any of these services please contact Nick Boshnack at 203-624-0947 ext. 241 or via e-mail by clicking here.

If you do not know your HIV status, please contact Nick who can refer you for free, confidential or anonymous HIV counseling and testing.