In recent studies the CDC and the University of California, San Francisco found that smoking in the LGBT community was 70% higher than the general population. Another study found that more Gay men now die from tobacco related diseases than from AIDS. Many of the LGBT smokers are in their early twenties! Because smoking has been such a prevalent part of the LGBT social scene, many people in the community suffer from secondhand smoke related diseases as they become older. With the introduction of smokefree bars and restaurants in California and New York, a majority in the LGBT community now prefer to socialize in smokefree environments. A study conducted in 2003 found that 59% of respondents preferred smokefree bars and clubs. Seven out of ten LGBT adults who preferred smokefree bars and clubs said they were willing to pay extra.
We have a responsibility to meet the challenge of tobacco addiction and the devastating effects on the lives of persons in the LGBT community. There is an erroneous assumption that tobacco addiction is not as serious as other drug problems in the community. This problem is exacerbated by tobacco industry attempts to target vulnerable minority communities by offering to fund community events in return for free advertising and smoking environments (where permitted by law). The best response we can make is to create clean smokefree environments for all LGBT public and social events.
This page is dedicated to offering smokefree LGBT alternatives worldwide. There are three categories of smokefree environments. Five stars means there is no smoking allowed on the property, indoors or outdoors. Four stars means there is no smoking allowed indoors or at outdoor seating where food and drink are consumed. Smoking is also not allowed within 20 feet of doorways, operable windows and intake vents. Three stars are awarded for effort in places where smoking is still legal, but prohibited inside particular establishments.