Second-hand smoke exposure levels and tobacco consumption patterns among a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Ireland

SummaryObjectivesTo estimate and identify characteristics of tobacco use, including use of roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure, among a self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Ireland.Study designWeb-based self-administered questionnaire survey using a cross-sectional study design.MethodsA convenience sample of 661 self-identified LGBT respondents was recruited through a well-advertised web-based survey tool method between March and May 2012. Prevalence rates were adjusted for age, sexual orientation, social class and nationality. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to characterize tobacco use profile and SHS exposure levels for estimating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsOf the 661 respondents, 45.3% (95% CI 44.9–45.7) reported current use of tobacco and 15.6% reported current use of RYO cigarettes (results were significantly higher for lesbians in both categories). In addition, 40.3% (95% CI 39.9–40.6) of respondents reported SHS exposure at home (significantly higher in gays), and 50.1% (95% CI 49.3–50.8) reported SHS exposure in cars (significantly higher in lesbians); these two groups were not mutually exclusive. The oldest individuals and non-Irish nationals were more than twice as likely to report SHS exposure in cars compared with the youngest individuals and Irish nationals, and the least-educated individuals were more than twice as likely to report current use of RYO cigarettes compared with the most-educated individuals (AOR 2.26; 95% CI 1.06–4.79). Non-tobacco users were less likely to report SHS exposure at home compared with current tobacco users (AOR 0.31; 95% CI 0.21–0.46).DiscussionDespite inherent methodological limitations associated with identification of such a study sample, the adjusted rates indicate that tobacco use is very high among the LGBT community in Ireland compared with the general Irish population (smoking rate 29%). High levels of SHS exposure at home and in cars further underscore the significance of smoke-free private vehicle and 100% smoke-free home policies. A targeted tobacco control strategy should be explored for this vulnerable population.