Tobacco Discriminates
Tobacco use disproportionately harms populations that are vulnerable and disenfranchised -- Native Americans, African Americans, the disabled, the GLBTQ community, the young and those with low income and education – it becomes clear that tobacco use is more than a health care issue. It is an issue of health disparities, health equity, and social justice.
Oregon Public Health Division. Tobacco Prevention and Education Program Report 2007-2009: Oregonians share their stories. Oregon Department of Human Services, Public Health Division.
The people who are most affected by tobacco’s toll: Native Americans (36% adult smoking prevalence), African Americans (30% adult smoking prevalence), those with disabilities, particularly those with mental illness (29% adult smoking prevalence), the GLBTQ community (26% smoking prevalence), the young (16% youth smoking prevalence) and those with low income and education (34% adult smoking prevalence) who smoke at much higher rates, are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke and/or disproportionately suffer the health consequences of smoking. For comparison, the statewide average is 16%.
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What Were They
SMOKING?
“No U.S. tobacco manufacturer can analyze tobacco or tobacco smoke for carcinogens because he may be cross-examined in lawsuits. Therefore all contract this work out.”
Philip Roger and Geoffrey Bible, Researchers, Tobacco Research Council