Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, accounting for 480,000 premature deaths per year. The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting Black and LGBTQ+ communities with advertising initiatives like Project SCUM, specifically promoting menthol cigarettes within these communities, giving financial contributions to Black groups and political leaders, and sponsoring LGBTQ+ events like Pride celebrations throughout the country.
The Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center, at the William Way LGBT Center, sat down with three current smokers of Black LGBTQ+ experience to learn about their history with cigarette use and their perspectives on the current culture around quitting. This is an excerpt from the discussion. The Center will host a virtual screening of the entire discussion on September 30th, more details coming soon.
If you or anyone you know would like resources to help stop smoking or vaping, please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, Pennsylvania’s free tobacco quitline.https://phillygaycalendar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/122196890_853734855260436_5743135856002756609_n.mp4