The LGBT community has a 70% higher rate of smoking than the global average. This is a statistic that is too high and needs to be lowered
Big tobacco is specifically targeting the LGBT community with their marketing efforts. Sneaky underhand tactics are targeting those coming out.
Educating people on their high levels of risk and raising awareness about this disparity are the first steps to a healthier longer life.
With the ever shrinking space they are allowed to market themselves in, they are turning to more underhand tactics that target specific groups of people. One of these groups (among many) is the LGBT community Through targeted product placement and indirect advertising they are attempting to create the image of a LGBT person being more attractive if they smoke. (If you haven't noticed the marketing yet, keep an eye out for it. It will not take you long to see an example. Subtle, indirect, but ever present.) Some more obvious examples of this targeting is tobacco companies advertising at PRIDE events and sponsoring LGBT organizations. Unfortunately these underhand marketing tactics seem to be working. The rate of smoking among LGBT individuals is 70% higher than the global average. While vast improvements in the attitudes of society have been made, coming out can be a stressful and nervous time for a LGBT person. During times of stress people are much more at risk of becoming addicted to various substances. Big tobacco and their guerrilla marketing teams know this, and try to make sure it is tobacco that "helps" calm the stress.
If you have any other questions about this awareness campaign, please get in contact with us using the email address here