Research Grants Program Office

Sexual identity is associated with tobacco use in adults. We examined tobacco use and susceptibility to use by sexual identity in adolescents. Data were collected in February 2019 via Qualtrics research participant panels. Data analyses were performed in June 2019 and updated in October 2020. Respondents aged 13-17 reported sexual identity (heterosexual vs. sexual minority [lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other]), past-month and lifetime tobacco product use, susceptibility to e-cigarette use, friend(s)' e-cigarette use, tobacco marketing exposure, and demographic characteristics. The sample (n=983) was 72.9% female, 46.5% non-Hispanic white, and 26.1% sexual minority with a mean age of 15.0 years (SD=1.4). Sexual minority adolescents were more likely to have friend(s) who vape (53.0% versus 42.0%; p=0.003). In adjusted models, sexual minority adolescents had greater odds of ever smoking tobacco (odds ratio [OR]=2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-2.98) or using e-cigarettes (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.08-2.25) relative to heterosexual adolescents. Past-month tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use did not differ by sexual identity. Among participants who had never used tobacco products, sexual minority adolescents reported greater susceptibility to e-cigarette use (OR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.04-2.52) compared to heterosexual adolescents. Exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette marketing, e-cigarette use by friends, and respondent sex were significant covariates in all models. The current findings indicate greater susceptibility to use e-cigarettes and greater tobacco product initiation, but not continuation, among sexual minority adolescents. Sexual minority-tailored interventions may be warranted to prevent tobacco product initiation. Worth exploring are the associations between sexual identity, tobacco marketing exposure, and friend(s)' e-cigarette use.