ASPO Abstracts
Do Sexual Minorities Differ from Heterosexual Individuals in Smoking and Vaping Characteristics? Findings from a study of dual users of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2019
Abstract Body:
Cancer health disparities exist among sexual minorities. Higher smoking rates amonglesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals compared to heterosexual individuals may contribute to the healthdisparities. Research also indicates LGB individuals have a higher prevalence of use of electronic cigarettes(e-cigarettes). Studies with the general population indicate individuals are using e-cigarettes mainly to assist withquitting or reducing combustible cigarette smoking. However, there is scarce information about motivations and patterns ofe-cigarette use in the LGB population as well as how vaping impacts their combustible smoking behavior. In thisstudy, we used baseline data from an ongoing smoking cessation trial for dual users of combustible ande-cigarettes to compare LGB (n=478) and heterosexuals (n=2,418) on smoking and vaping characteristics, reasons tostart vaping, motivation to quit smoking, and changes in smoking and nicotine dependence (measured with Heavinessof Smoking Index) from pre-to-post-vaping. Results indicated that, although LGB individuals had a shorterhistory of smoking than heterosexuals (M=11.7, SD=25.2 vs. M=13.4, SD=11.3 years smoking; t=2.24, p<.05; d=-0.09)and lower nicotine dependence (M=3.3, S=1.6 vs. M=3.6, SD=1.5) (t=4.18, p<.001; d=-0.19), they reportedsignificantly less reduction from pre-to-post-vaping in both the number of combustible cigarettes smoked perday (M=6.5, SD=8.6 vs. M=8.4, SD=9.5) (t=4.259, p<.001; d=-0.21) and nicotine dependence level (M=1.2, SD=1.6vs. M=1.5, SD=1.7) (t=3.26, p<.01; d=-0.18). Regarding reasons for use, LGB individuals were more likely tostart vaping as a substitute for combustible cigarettes in places where smoking is forbidden (13.0% vs.8.9%), whereas heterosexual individuals were more likely to start vaping to quit smoking (40.9% vs.46.5%) (χ2=13.92, p < .05; Cramer’s V=0.07, p=0.03). Finally, LGB individuals were less motivated to quit smokingcompared to heterosexual individuals (M=5.4, SD=2.4 vs. M=5.8, SD=2.4) (t=2.96, p<.01; d=-0.17). Overall, thepresent findings indicate smoking and vaping characteristics differ between LGB and heterosexuals and suggest theLGB population may be at greater risk of maintaining dual use of combustible and e-cigarettes.
Keywords: cigarette smoking, electroniccigarettes, sexual minority, lesbian,gay, bisexual