The majority of the population based health surveys seldom research sexual orientation that results in the absence of consistent measures of smoking amongst the LGB (Lesbians, gays and bisexual), a population that is perceived to have high risk of tobacco linked diseases. An article by Tang, Greenwood, Cowling, Lloyd & Roeseler (2004) seeks to provide evidence that the smoking rate among the LGB is significantly higher when compared to that of the heterosexuals. The data in the research has been collected in collaboration with the Health Policy Research in the UCLA center. The sample data was obtained through a telephone survey   through which the numbers were generated randomly by the computer. Stratified sampling was the sampling technique through which strata represented the counties in the sample areas. The percentage of the participants in each of the strata was obtained from population estimates of the counties. One flaw regarding this study is related to the verity that the respondents were requested to self-identity themselves as homosexuals.   Hence, the results of the study might be biased since some homosexuals might not be telling the truth regarding their sexual orientation. There might have been a number of “closeted” homosexuals who were classified in the heterosexual group.   The study avails the strongest evidence that the bisexual females, lesbians and gay men had significantly her smoking prevalence rates compared to their heterosexual counterparts.

Null hypothesis: There is a significant effect on smoking rate that is linked with sexual preference.

Research hypothesis: Cigarette smoking amongst the LGB community is higher than for the heterosexual counterparts.

The study indicated that the lesbians rate of smoking was approximately seventy percent higher compared to that of heterosexual women. The gay men had a smoking prevalence rate of approximately 33.2 percent when compared to the heterosexual men who were just 21. 3 percent. In addition, gay men were most likely to smoke compared to the heterosexual men.

Tang H, Greenwood G, Cowling DW, Lloyd JC, Roeseler AG, Bal DG. 2004. Cigarette smoking among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: how serious a problem? Cancer Causes and Control. 15:797-803.