LGBTQ+ youth already face higher rates of bullying, discrimination, and rejection than their straight and cisgender peers. New research suggests those experiences may also help explain why queer and trans young people are more likely to vape.
A review published in Prevention Science examined risk and protective factors connected to e-cigarette use among LGBTQ+ youth. Researchers found that stigma, bullying, family rejection, and other forms of minority stress can increase psychological distress and make vaping more likely to become a coping mechanism.
The review was conducted by researchers from George Mason University and Lehigh University and focused on young people between the ages of 10 and 24.
Rather than LGBTQ+ identity itself being responsible for higher vaping rates, researchers pointed to the social conditions queer and trans youth often experience.
LGBTQ+ young people disproportionately face discrimination, peer rejection, bullying, and violence, all of which can contribute to chronic stress. Researchers found that vaping may become one way some young people attempt to manage that distress.
Family acceptance also plays an important role.
Researchers noted that LGBTQ+ people can be the only queer or trans person in their family, meaning rejection at home can create another significant source of stress. Even mixed reactions from family members—where acceptance is combined with rejection or discomfort—can negatively affect mental health and increase the likelihood of substance use as a coping mechanism.
The review also identified another pathway connected to social belonging. Peer behavior, social networks, and environments where vaping is normalized can influence whether young people begin or continue using e-cigarettes.
At the same time, researchers found that supportive relationships and affirming spaces can reduce some of those risks.
Family acceptance, LGBTQ+-affirming schools and organizations, supportive relationships, and substance-free queer spaces were among the protective factors identified in the review. Researchers argue that these environments can provide LGBTQ+ youth with healthier ways to cope with stress while reducing the pressure that can contribute to vaping.
The findings also suggest traditional anti-vaping campaigns may not adequately address the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people.
Researchers recommended prevention programs specifically designed with LGBTQ+ youth in mind rather than relying entirely on one-size-fits-all approaches. George Mason researchers have also been working directly with LGBTQ+ young people to better understand what they want to see in prevention programs, including representation from people who share their identities and experiences.
The review ultimately argues that reducing vaping disparities requires looking beyond individual choices and addressing the social conditions surrounding LGBTQ+ youth.
“Reducing vaping disparities requires prevention strategies that move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches,” the researchers conclude, emphasizing the importance of supportive relationships, affirming institutions and inclusive environments.
