Smoking and LGBTQ+ communities
Welcome to our briefing on smoking and LGBTQ+ communities.
The tobacco industry has a history of predatory marketing of tobacco products targeting marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+ people, which perpetuates economic and/or health inequities.
Evidence shows higher rates of smoking and tobacco product use by LGBTQ+ people compared to the general population.
The total size of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community in Scotland is unclear. Data suggests between 1.7-7% of the population or 54,450 to 272,000 people identify as LGBTQ+.
How does smoking effect LGBTQ+ communities?
20.5%
of lesbian and gay people smoke
20.1%
of bisexual people smoke
14.9%
of heterosexual people smoke
Why are higher smoking rates among LGBTQ+ people significant?
LGBTQ+ individuals are at greater risk of mental illness due to various factors, most notably due to experiences of homophobia, sexuality or gender-related bullying and social isolation
Smoking can both be a cause and effect of mental health problems including increasing risk of depression and anxiety, two mental health conditions common among LGBTQ+ people.
61% of LGBTQ+ people and 79% of non-binary people reported experiencing anxiety whereas 16% of the UK’s general population of adults in 2021 reports having anxiety.
52% of LGBTQ+ people reported experiencing depression in 2018. 67% of transgender people and 70% of non-binary people reported feeling depressed in 2018.
Research shows quitting smoking decreases anxiety and depression symptoms, and increases improvement in positive feelings and mental wellbeing.
The effect of quitting smoking can have equal or greater benefits for mental health than anti-depressant treatment.
Learn more about smoking and mental health
Accessibility of healthcare and smoking cessation services
The types of stress experienced by LGBTQ+ people can detriment their physical health.
This concept is best explained by the minority stress model, which states that sexual and gender minorities are subject to unique forms of discrimination directly related to their sexual or gender identity i.e. homophobia or transphobia. The model demonstrates the negative impact these stressors have on the physical health of sexual and gender minority people. This vulnerability could lead to reduced accessibility of smoking cessation support.
The number of LGBTQ+ young people who feel supported by healthcare services in Scotland has decreased overall, most markedly for mental health services, which dropped from 74% of respondents feeling supported in 2017, to 55% in 2022.
Some LGBTQ+ people may be at greater risk of nicotine addiction due to the strong link between stress and smoking.
Poor experiences in healthcare settings often dissuades LGBTQ+ people from seeking help when they need it. This could cause reluctance in consulting health professionals for smoking cessation advice, which may harm their chances of successfully quitting smoking.
13% of LGBTQ+ people reported mistreatment from healthcare staff due to their LGBTQ+ identity. 32% of transgender people reported mistreatment.
Accessing specialist support and treatment can make an individual up to three to four times more likely
to successfully quit smoking
Visit Quit Your Way Scotland for support to quit smoking
You can download a PDF file (including references) of the 'Smoking and LGBTQ+ communities' factsheet.
