SHIFT: A Young Adult LGBTQ Tobacco Prevention Campaign

Audience: People working within priority populations, specifically LGBTQ as well as people working with youth.

Key Points: Identify health disparities faced by the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, etc) communites in tobacco use in relation to the greater population. Identify targeting advertising and media campaigns that make LGBTQ people targets of the tobacco industry. Describe a local, community-based campaign engaging LGBTQ young people with social media/marketing and local policy initiatives.

Educational Experience:

    Session Outline:
I.Introductions of group participants (why are you into tobacco control?)

II.Tobacco and the LGBTQ Community

    a.Corporate tobacco versus traditional/ceremonial uses: why we focus on corporate tobacco
    b.Targeting of Youth Activity
    i. Activity: Can you identify the tobacco product?
    ii. Activity: Manipulicious Candy
    c. Group Discussion: Why is this ad targeting queer people?
    d. Activity: The Stats of the Matter: A look at the disproportionate rates of smoking in queer communities

III. Building our campaign (and yours)
    a. Community-based policy initiatives to create tobacco-free spaces
    b. Social media
    c. Training and educating queer young people
    d. Example of Success Story: Cirque Du So Gay
    e. Future of the campaign

IV. Closing Discussion: community feedback on the campaign and do you see this being effective in your community?

Benefits: Audience will learn about tobacco in the LGBTQ communities, tobacco industry targeting of priority populations and how to build an effective social media and policy campaign.