Clearing the air

The Great American Smokeout and LGBTQ+ health

 - by Ralph Cornelius
   DNP, APRN, FNP-C
   Diversity Family Health

Every November, the Great American Smokeout invites people across the country to take a stand against tobacco and commit to a healthier future.

For the LGBT+ community, this day holds special significance. Studies show that LGBTQ+ individuals use tobacco products — including vapes — at higher rates than the general population, a trend linked to decades of targeted advertising, social stressors, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. For LGBTQ+ people, the toll is even greater. Higher rates of lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD stem from disproportionate tobacco use. And while vaping is often marketed as a “safer alternative,” it still delivers nicotine — the addictive chemical in cigarettes — and exposes the lungs to harmful aerosols, flavorings, and metals.

In short, whether it’s a cigarette or a vape, both keep people addicted, both harm long-term health, and both make it harder to breathe freely. Clearing the air means more years of pride, joy and connection.

When I talk with my patients about quitting, I remind them they’re fighting two battles at once: The addiction to nicotine and the habits that reinforce smoking or vaping. That’s why treatment often includes a combination of medications (like nicotine replacement, bupropion, or varenicline) alongside real-life habit changes.

Medications help quiet cravings, but breaking the routines tied to smoking or vaping makes the difference in long-term success.

I also discuss the cycle of change with patients, explaining that people progress through stages of readiness. Prepping ahead of a quit date builds momentum:

Change your environment: If you vape or smoke in your car, clean it out and consider an ozone treatment to remove the smell. Then commit to no longer using nicotine in the car.

Break location triggers: If you smoke or vape inside your home, start moving that habit outside. Same with driving – go different routes to trick your brain.

Redirect routines: If you light up after meals, take a short five-minute walk instead. Even simple substitutions retrain the brain.

Every small change helps weaken the automatic urge to reach for a cigarette or vape and makes your eventual quit date more successful.

The 1-800-QUIT-NOW line connects callers in all 50 states to their local quitline for free, confidential help. Many programs offer counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or text-based support.

Quitting may feel overwhelming, but even one day without nicotine allows the body to begin healing. Within weeks, lung function improves; within a year, the risk of heart attack drops by half. Living smoke-free means more energy, more financial savings, and more time with the people who matter most.

This November, consider making the Great American Smokeout your day one. Whether you’re taking the first step or renewing a past attempt, each try brings you closer to a smoke-free future.

Let’s break the cycle of targeted marketing and reclaim our health, together. Because our community deserves to breathe easier, live longer, and thrive without tobacco — whether in a cigarette or a vape.

Myths vs. Facts About Vaping

Myth 1: “Vaping is safe — it’s just water vapor.”
Fact: Vape aerosol isn’t harmless water. It contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and chemicals that can harm lungs and blood vessels.

Myth 2: “Vaping helps people quit smoking.”
Fact: Most people who try to quit smoking with vapes end up using both — called dual use. FDA-approved quit aids (patches, gum, medications) have been proven to be safer and more effective.

Myth 3: “It’s less addictive than cigarettes.”
Fact: Many vapes contain as much or more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes, making them just as addictive — especially for young people.

Myth 4: “It’s better for indoor use — no harm to others.”
Fact: Secondhand vape aerosol still exposes bystanders to nicotine, metals, and toxins.

The Gayly online. 11/19/2025 @ 4:23 p.m. CST.