ASPO Abstracts
Tobacco dependence treatment among heterosexual and sexual minority current smokers
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the study: We examined differences in use of evidence-based tobacco dependence treatments
(i.e., behavioral and/or pharmacological treatments) comparing sexual minority current smokers – those
identifying with lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity – to their heterosexual counterparts using data
from a nationally representative survey.
Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariate-adjusted
regression models were used to examine the correlates of tobacco treatment use among current smokers,
comparing sexual minority populations to their heterosexual counterparts, stratifying by current gender
status, and adjusting for sociodemographic factors, provider recommendation, serious psychological
distress, and smoking-related cancers.
Results: A total of 5,244 adult current cigarette smokers were included in this analysis, whereby 46.4%
(n=2,433) identified as heterosexual female, 2.7% as LGB female (n=140), 48.8% heterosexual male
(n=2,558) and 2.2% LGB male (n=113). The majority of all current smokers did not use evidence-based
tobacco dependence treatments regardless of sexual orientation. Few respondents participated in any
pharmacological treatment (LGB females: 12.1% vs. heterosexual females: 16.6%; LGB males: 11.5% vs.
heterosexual males: 13.7%) or in any behavioral treatment (LGB females: 2.1% vs. heterosexual females:
5.3%; LGB males: 4.4% vs. heterosexual males: 3.1%). In fully-adjusted models, LGB females were
significantly less likely than heterosexual females to receive any smoking cessation treatment (OR=0.47;
95% CI=0.23, 0.98).
Conclusions: We found that the population-level use of evidence-based tobacco treatment is low
regardless of sexual orientation. Sexual minority female smokers represent a prime target for interventions
to expand access and utilization of evidence-based tobacco use treatment.
Keywords: Tobacco, Cessation, Sexual minority, Disparities