Worth the Work: Tobacco Cessation

Quitting tobacco is hard work. At Garden State Equality, we know we’re worth the work it takes to get and stay tobacco-free.

Garden State Equality has partnered with New Jersey’s Department of Health and its Office of Tobacco Control to identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities among the LGBTQ+ community. GSE’s goals are aligned with the four main goals of the National Tobacco Control Program, which are to:

1. Prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults.
2. Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.
3. Promote quitting among adults and youth.
4. Identify and eliminate tobacco‐related disparities among population groups.

LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to use tobacco products but have less access to comprehensive support services and more likely to have experienced risk factors. We believe that in order to support our communities in their journey toward cessation, we must also take a holistic approach and show our community members that they are worth so much more than the dollar signs that Big Tobacco wants from them.

We are working closely with partners around the state to implement evidence-based health communication interventions including culturally competent media campaigns, educate health care professionals on the tobacco burden among LGBTQ+ people (especially youth), and training professionals on how to appropriately screen, counsel, and provide cessation services to LGBTQ+ youth and adults. In order to make meaningful changes in the lives of our community members, our approach involves community building, teaching meaningful skills, and creating opportunities for meaningful connection and joy.