LGBT HealthLink recently conducted its biannual tobacco census to survey all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to determine the level of LGBT inclusion in its tobacco-control work.
Results to this survey showed that 53 percent of respondents demonstrated higher grades in 2016 when compared to 2014, indicating improvement in adoption and increased uptake of LGBT best and promising practices.
The 2016 census included 15 questions designed to measure respondents' adoption of the best and promising practices for LGBT tobacco prevention and control developed by LGBT HealthLink in 2012 as a response to the growing need for best practices knowledge at the state level. These questions, when scored, formed the basis for states' LGBT and tobacco report-card grades.
Illinois received the highest grade possible: A+. Overall, the Midwest received a B, which tied the West for the highest grade.
The full report is at LGBTHealthlink.org/Projects/Tobacco-Report-Cards-LGBT-HealthLink.
