When compared with all adults, lesbians and gays are more likely to smoke, according to a survey released May 14, conducted by Harris Interactive and Witeck Combs Communications. And lack of education about associated health risks doesn't seem to explain the disparity in rates -- of those surveyed, LGBT participants were most aware of the health risks of smoking.

About 36 percent of adults aged 18 and over who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender report that they smoke cigarettes, compared with 25 percent of all adults, according to the survey results. Seventy-five percent of LGBT smokers say they have tried to give it up, compared with 80 percent of all adults.

"As anyone who's ever ventured into a gay or lesbian club knows, smoking is a major health hazard in our community," says Kathleen DeBold, executive director of the Mautner Project for Lesbians and Cancer. "In the April 2001 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, a meta-analysis by Dr. Susan Cochran, et al, confirms the Harris survey conclusions. According to the article, 'after standardization, both the current and previous smoking rates among lesbians greatly exceeded national norms for women,'" she says.

Yet the Harris survey shows that gays and lesbians are most aware of the risks associated with smoking. A total of 98 percent of LGBT smokers say smoking increases their risk of lung cancer and heart disease, and 96 percent say it will probably shorten their lives. Whereas, 88 percent of all adult smokers believe smoking increases risk of lung cancer and 84 percent think it increases risk of heart disease. Only 80 percent of all adults believe smoking will probably shorten their lives.

"The sad fact is that gay people have lots of other risks to deal with -- like losing our jobs, being harassed and gaybashed -- that are far more urgent than the fact that smoking will probably shorten our lives," says DeBold. "We need more research on why LGBT people smoke and why they stop. That's the only we can learn how to prevent people from starting and help them to quit."

The image that smokers are cool and sexy is perpetuated by tobacco manufacturers. "The tobacco industry has been brilliant in their marketing -- positioning smoking as an accessory for all attitudes," says DeBold. "This is especially dangerous to vulnerable LGBTQ kids. Wanna be tough and butch? Wanna be femme and sexy? Wanna fit in? Wanna be a rebel? No matter what you're looking for, tobacco companies, like all drug pushers, are there claiming they can provide it."

There were some inconsistencies with the research. The data collected from the LGBT communities was taken from a sample of adults surveyed online in January of 2001. Whereas, the data for the total population came from a survey conducted by telephone on the same dates in January. In addition, only 137 LGBT adults were surveyed, compared with 1,011 people from the general population.