learning

The Latest from SmokeFree GLBT:
the Statewide Network of Community Organizations fighting back against this killer in the LGBT
Community.

If you want to quit, start by learning…

LEARN HOW WE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY TOBACCO USE...

LGBT are 40-70% more likely to smoke than non-LGBT. This is one of the highest smoking rates, even out of all
the disproportionately affected sub-populations.

LGBT adolescents are taking up smoking at an alarming rate. In a recent national study 45% of females and
35% of males who reported same-sex attraction or behavior smoked. In comparison, only 29% of the rest of the
youth smoked.

LEARN HOW OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY TARGETED BY TOBACCO COMPANIES...

Tobacco companies offer an unknown amount of financial support to LGBT festivals, bars, media, and local
organizations. As early supporters of LGBT causes, the Tobacco companies garnered appreciative community
response, since many other funders avoided LGBT issues.

They may target us, but they don’t respect us. An early Tobacco industry document described a plan for
increasing sales among San Francisco's gay and homeless populations. It was titled "Project SCUM".

LEARN HOW SOCIAL SUPPORT AFFECTS US...

With more people smoking in our communities, we're more likely to have smokers around us - and this can make
it harder to stop.

Our friends are especially important, and the social support they provide offsets stress we experience as a result
of being LGBT.

Support from your friends or family can help a lot when you try to quit. But guilt doesn’t! See the box at the end
for tips on how they can give you guilt-free support.

LEARN HOW QUITTING SMOKING IS A PROCESS...

In any given year, 70% of all smokers try to quit. But it rarely happens their first time; most people try 7-8 times
before they succeed at quitting.

Be gentle on yourself as you start this process. It’s been proven that every single quit attempt moves you closer
to a final success! The longer it lasts, the more it helps.

LEARN HOW DEEP THIS HABIT GOES...

A piece of quitting smoking is about fighting the addiction, another piece is about changing a deeply engrained
habit. This can affect many different (sometimes unexpected) parts of your life.

Think about this: the only thing an average smoker does more than smoke... is blink!

NOW, LEARN ABOUT THE BEST RECIPE FOR SUCCESS...

You are most likely to quit smoking if you combine three strategies (like combination therapy for tobacco!)

First, talk to your doctor about your smoking and see if you are able to take a prescription medication that can
help, like Chantix, Zyban (also called Wellbutrin), nicotine inhaler and nicotine nasal spray.

Second, plan to take a type of nicotine replacement therapy, like the patch, gum or lozenge. And new evidence
shows we shouldn't dial down the doses of this stuff as fast as previously thought, stay higher if needed. Also
know that you can combine these therapies, but check with your health care provider first.

Third, enroll in some type of stop smoking support program, like a group, individual counseling, or website. Visit
www.SmokeFreeGLBT.com for local resources such as the Colorado QuitLine. These programs help you with
valuable skills (like learning your smoking triggers) and immediate social support.

Continue to be gentle with yourself. If you begin smoking again, think about how each quit attempt brings you
closer to final success. So, don't get discouraged, just regroup and start again.