Bartenders and cocktail servers in LGBTQ-oriented nightclubs are disproportionately exposed to secondhand smoke, as are young adult patrons of these venues. And yet results of a national survey disclose that the vast majority of those who identify as LGBTQ prefer smokefree environments. According to an article in The Advocate, published on January 15, 2003, of those in favor, 70% indicated they would pay more to get into a smokefree bar or nightclub.

The California LGBT Tobacco Education Partnership has advice on how to make a smokefree coalition or campaign more accessible to the LGBT community.

In addition to secondhand smoke exposure, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated, “Cigarette smoking among LGB individuals in the U.S. is higher than among heterosexual/straight individuals. Nearly 1 in 4 LGB adults smoke cigarettes compared with about 1 in 6 heterosexual/straight adults.”

A growing number of events and festivals have adopted 100% smokefree and tobacco free policies to combat Big Tobacco’s history of targeting the community. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center – with support from ANR Foundation – developed this Smoke Free Pride Toolkit based on best practices as implemented and adopted by Pride Boards across the state of Pennsylvania.

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