LGBTQIA+ multi ethnic volunteers with rainbow flags in New York

Engaging LGBTQ+ Communities in Tobacco Policy Advocacy

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing & Outdoor Areas

Engaging LGBTQ+ Communities in Tobacco Policy Advocacy

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing & Outdoor Areas

As part of a grant from the California Tobacco Prevention Program (CTPP), our team is currently working to engage the LGBTQ+ community in policy advocacy

Long Term Goal: Pass smoke-free tobacco control policies in two jurisdiction of LA County’s South Bay (Redondo Beach and Inglewood)

Multi-unit housing policies protect renters and condo owners from second and thirdhand smoke exposure within their homes

Outdoor area policies protect residents and visitors from exposure to secondhand smoke in shared public spaces like parks, sidewalks, outdoor dining areas, and more

We plan to utilize the following strategies to accomplish those goals:

Advocacy Training: build a local community that is knowledgeable about tobacco control as an LGBTQ+ issue and can advocate for health equity through policy change

Community Organizing: collaborate with local LGBTQ+ community-based organizations, rental associations, condo associations, etc. to build support

Building Resources: use the Quit Alliance partners to create a centralized program to address social and political determinants of health, tobacco-cessation, and policy advocacy, reducing tobacco-related health inequity among LGBTQ+ communities

Below are some informational flyers with city statistics we have developed for Redondo Beach and Inglewood, as well as considerations for best policy practices:

Building Smoke-Free Communities Together

Check out our campaigns to create a smoke-free Redondo Beach and Inglewood! This campaign was created by project staff in partnership with ArtCenter College of Design. Learn more about how a smoke-free multi-unit housing policy could benefit and the city and protect everyone from the harms of tobacco smoke, especially those most vulnerable:

Community Driven Data Collection

This project used both surveys and community observations to better understand local perspectives and conditions related to tobacco use.

Public Opinion Survey: We surveyed 65 renters to gather feedback on awareness of tobacco-related issues, attitudes toward smoke-free living, and support for smoke-free housing policies.

Observation Studies: We conducted site visits in target jurisdictions and in comparison communities with existing smoke-free policies. Across 10 sites, we documented visible signs of tobacco use and related litter in multi-unit housing and public spaces.

The results are highlighted in the following materials, showing both the overwhelming support for smoke-free living and the differences that can occur once those changes are implemented.