Health officials warn that gays and lesbians are twice as likely to smoke and are in more danger of health risks because of that, as they are more likely to come out in the bar and club culture.
"When a lot of gay men and women come out, they come out in the bar culture, and the bar and club culture has really established a culture where it's OK to smoke," says Jeff Bailey, director of education at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. "We need to change that."
State health officials have set up smoking cessation programs targeting gay men at three local health organizations in Los Angeles and plan to start programs early next year for lesbians.
Similar classes have operated in San Francisco for several years.
"This is the first time that there is data on the gay population," says Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "It's of grave concern. We know one out of three smokers is going to die prematurely from a smoking related disease."
The campaign will start off with a $30,000 budget and will be connected with other anti-smoking campaigns and programs.
