Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Ganz, Ollie
• Johnson, Amanda L.
• Cohn, Amy M.
• Rath, Jessica
• Horn, Kimberly
• Vallone, Donna
• Villanti, Andrea C.

Titel

Tobacco harm perceptions and use among sexual and gender minorities: findings from a national sample of young adults in the United States

Ist Teil von

• Addictive behaviors, 2018-06, Vol.81, p.104-108

Ort / Verlag

England: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2018

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• In the United States, the prevalence of tobacco use among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) is higher compared to their non-SGM counterparts. Tobacco harm perceptions have gone largely unexamined as a potential mechanism supporting disproportionate tobacco use among this population. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between SGM and non-SGM young adults in harm perceptions of various tobacco products and tobacco use behavior and whether low tobacco-related harm perceptions moderate the relationship between identifying as a SGM and tobacco use behavior. This study used data from Wave 10 of the Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort Study, a sample of U.S. young adults (ages 18–34). Data were collected from September to October 2016 and the study sample included 3089 individuals. Demographics, past 30-day use of cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos/bidis and electronic cigarettes were assessed. Absolute and relative harm perceptions of these products were also examined. Identifying as a SGM and low tobacco harm perceptions were found to be positively associated with past 30-day tobacco use. There was no interaction between SGM status and harm perceptions on past 30-day tobacco use Findings confirm that SGM young adults continue to disproportionately use tobacco products, compared to non-SGM young adults. More research is needed to understand moderators of the relationship between SGM status and tobacco use in young adults. •The prevalence of tobacco use was higher for sexual and gender (SGM) minorities compared to their non-SGM counterparts.•Lower absolute harm perceptions of cigarettes and e-cigarettes were associated with past 30-day product use.•The perception of little cigars/cigarillos/bidis and e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes was associated with past 30-day product use.•In this study, harm perceptions did not moderate the relationship between identifying as a SGM and tobacco use behavior.