Disparities in Tobacco use and cravings among sexual and gender minority adolescents in the United States

Abstract

Background

Despite well-documented disparities in tobacco use between sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations and their non-SGM counterparts, limited research has focused on tobacco cravings within these groups. This study examines tobacco use and tobacco cravings among SGM adolescents who are past 30-day tobacco product users in the United States.

Methods

Data were derived from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey of high school students. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between various SGM identities and tobacco use and cravings.

Results

Tobacco cravings were reported by 25.66 % of gay or lesbian, 34.63 % of bisexual, pansexual, queer, or asexual, and 19.09 % of other sexual minority adolescent tobacco users. Among gender minority users, 40.45 % of nonbinary, genderfluid, or genderqueer individuals and 20.34 % of other gender identities reported cravings. Compared to heterosexual users, the odds of cravings were higher among bisexual, pansexual, queer, or asexual (aOR = 4.35, 95 % CI = 2.12–8.94), gay or lesbian (aOR = 3.51, 95 % CI = 1.03–11.93), and other sexual identities (aOR = 2.79, 95 % CI = 1.16–6.71). Nonbinary, genderfluid, or genderqueer users had higher odds of cravings compared to cisgender boys or men (aOR = 3.64, 95 % CI = 1.63–8.13). Similarly, SGM adolescents had higher odds of current tobacco use than their non-SGM peers.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the significant disparities in tobacco cravings and use among SGM adolescents compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Programs targeting tobacco use and cravings among SGM youth will be beneficial.