Methods: Several LGBT focus groups provided valuable qualitative information about tobacco and other health priorities. An LGBT-specific Palm Pilot tobacco survey at three Pride events and the inclusion of a sexual orientation question in two population-based health surveys in the state have provided quantitative data. In addition, a sexual orientation demographic question was added to the NM Tobacco Helpline, which provides information about the LGBT community accessing cessation resources.

Results: Data gathered through these methodologies provide important details about smoking behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, and whether tobacco is a priority in the LGBT community. Some findings include: LGBT individuals are more likely to smoke than their heterosexual counterparts; bisexuals may smoke at higher rates than their LGT counterparts; there is strong support for smoke-free venues among LGBT people, and; there is little awareness of disparity in LGBT versus heterosexual smoking rates. Also, LGBT people are more likely to use the Helpline than expected.

Conclusions: Progress toward considering sexual orientation a standard demographic question in any data collection system is important in building baseline information and tracking trends in this understudied population. LGBT-specific data can be used to better understand and serve them more effectively with tobacco and other public health services.