POW’R Against Tobacco Participates in Westchester Pride

POW’R Against Tobacco proudly attended and tabled at Westchester Pride on Saturday, June 1st. The event, hosted by The LOFT: LGBTQ+ Community Center, kicked off Pride Month with a celebration of joy, identity, and love.

While Pride is a time to honor the social and political progress of the LGBTQ+ community, it also highlights continued efforts for equity and justice—especially around health disparities. Despite Westchester County’s overall low adult smoking rates, some communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, continue to face disproportionately high rates of tobacco use.

Amid vibrant music and community celebration, POW’R engaged eventgoers in critical conversations about the impact of tobacco on the LGBTQIA+ population. Research shows that LGBTQ+ young adults are nearly twice as likely to use tobacco compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. They are also more likely to use menthol cigarettes, which are easier to start and harder to quit. This is the result of decades of targeted marketing by the tobacco industry, exploiting the stress and stigma many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience.

LBGT young adults are nearly twice as likely to use tobacco as their non-LGBT peers. LGBT* smokers are also more likely to use menthol cigarettes than non-LGBT* smokers—a product is known to be much easier to start and harder to quit. This is no accident: Big Tobacco knows that members of the LGBTQIA+ community face increased stress due to discrimination and social stigma. The tobacco industry has targeted LGBT communities with tailored advertising, giveaways, and event sponsorships for decades.

POW’R Against Tobacco is committed to exposing these harmful tactics and supporting tobacco-free futures for all communities.

For help with quitting, individuals can contact the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit nysmokefree.com for free and confidential support.

To learn more about the tobacco industry’s targeting of marginalized groups and resources for quitting, visit tobaccofreenys.org and notjustmenthol.org