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Youth

Research on Marijuana/Cannabis Reveals Insights on LGBTQ+ Adolescent Tobacco and Nicotine Use

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study conducted by San Diego State University Research Foundation has shed light on the factors influencing tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents. The research found that these adolescents show disproportionately high use of tobacco and nicotine compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, with factors such as socialization, stress, mood, and craving exacerbating their use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to assess real-time predictors of tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis product use among LGBTQ+ adolescents using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques.
  • The Puff Break protocol was adapted from existing EMA protocols to gather data on factors influencing tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ youth.
  • A sample of 50 participants, aged 14 to 19 years, self-identified as LGBTQ+ and used tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis products at least once in the past 30 days, participated in the EMA trial.
  • The study found that stress, socialization, and craving have contemporaneous and lagged associations with smoking outcomes among LGBTQ+ adolescents.
  • Multilevel modeling and qualitative thematic analyses will be used to identify robust tailoring variables and intervention options to support future just-in-time-adaptive intervention development.
  • The research concluded that the Puff Break protocol has the potential to inform the development of a just-in-time-adaptive intervention to reduce tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use among LGBTQ+ adolescents.

Statistics:

  • 50 participants were recruited for the EMA trial, aged 14 to 19 years, self-identified as LGBTQ+, and used tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis products at least once in the past 30 days.
  • 5-minute surveys were completed by participants 5 times a day over a 14-day period.
  • Salivary cotinine assessments were used to gauge tobacco and nicotine use.
  • The study is expected to be completed by May 2026.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. San Diego State University Research Foundation Reports Findings in Marijuana/Cannabis [Measuring Stress, Socialization, and Smoking Behaviors Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Other Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents (the ...]. Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 18, 2025; p 1054.

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