OUT Against Big Tobacco

OUT Against Big Tobacco Los Angeles (OABT-LA) is the LGBTQ+ regional project in Los Angeles made up of LGBTQ+ individuals and community organizations that collectively work together to address tobacco control and health inequity issues within California’s LGBTQ+ community.

We make policy changes targeted to reduce the tobacco-related health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community. We’re fighting back and working to enact the following policies throughout Los Angeles County and the state of California:

Restrict the availability of ALL flavors in ALL tobacco products. No Exceptions.
No longer allow redemption of discounts and point-of-sale price reduction promotions for the purchase of ANY tobacco product.

If you have questions, please reach out to Program Coordinator, Jessica Esquivel (she/her).

Learn more about LGBTQ+ tobacco-related health disparities:

We Breathe - Statewide LGBTQ Coordinating Center
Out Proud Free - Smoking is a social justice issue
Burning Love: Big Tobacco Takes Aim at LGBT Youth

OABT-LA Coalition

The OUT Against Big Tobacco Los Angeles Coalition, supported by the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, is an alliance of LGBTQ+ individuals and community organizations collectively working to address tobacco control and health inequity issues within California’s LGBTQ+ community. Please note, that you do not need to be a part of an organization to join the coalition.

OABT-LA Coalition Members:

To join the OUT Against Big Tobacco Central Valley coalition, click here.

Join the Coalition!

Join the coalition - Fill out this form to get involved in the fight against Big Tobacco!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Make them hear you! When you post about your tobacco experiences or retweet others, include the hashtag #OUTAgainstBigTobacco
Subscribe to our blog
Join our Network Calls on the second Thursday of every month
1. Zoom meeting details shared via our general Network Newsletter
Questions? - Contact Program Coordinator, Jessica Esquivel (she/her)

Engagement Opportunities

What We Know

For decades, Big Tobacco has preyed on the LGBTQ+ community, targeting us through their marketing campaigns, getting us hooked on their deadly products. The result? LGBTQ+ people are more than TWICE as likely to smoke as our non-LGBTQ+ peers, and nearly 30,000 LGBTQ+ people across the country die every year of tobacco-related causes.

The OUT Against Big Tobacco Coalition is taking a stand! We will not allow them prey on us any longer. They don’t respect our existence, but they will respect our resistance.

Educational Materials

Cessation and Mental Health Resources

The rate of tobacco use in the LGBTQ+ community is more than twice as high as our non-LGBTQ+ peers, putting the community at higher risk of contracting serious illnesses and/or developing a more severe infection. We hope the resources below help you or someone you may know.

- Kick It California
  - English: 1-800-300-8086
  - Español: 1-800-600-8191
  - Connect with a Quit Coach today by phone, chat, or by completing this web form.
- LGBT Hotline: 888-843-4564
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
- SmokeFree: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- Every Try Counts! : (877) 44U-QUIT or (877-448-7848)

History

OUT Against Big Tobacco Los Angeles (OABT-LA) began in 2018 at Equality California. Through its five-year tenure, OABT-LA had many accomplishments, including passing a comprehensive tobacco retail license in West Hollywood. OABT-LA is now overseen by the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network.

For more information on the OUT Against Big Tobacco Central Valley Coalition, click here.

Fact Sheets Made by EQCA

OABT-LA Accomplishments Made with EQCA

Our work to remove Big Tobacco from State policics was featured in a December 2021 article in the Bay Area Reporter.
In February of 2021, West Hollywood City Counsilmembes voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products and the use of tobacco coupons and discounts.
One of our coalition members published a piece in QVoiceNews about the need for tobacco-related research on transgender communities titled, “Research, data on transgender tobacco use needed.”
We hosted a discussion about LGBTQ+ health and Pride with community members titled, “Taking Pride in our Health Townhall,” on June 9th, 2021.
This video addresses the impact of tobacco use on gender affirming care and transition for gender diverse communities.
OUT Against Big Tobacco 2021 Research Publication, titled, “Tobacco Control as an LGBTQ+ Issue: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Recommendations from LGBTQ+ Community Leaders.”
OUT Against Big Tobacco 2020 Research Publication titled, “Perceptions About Flavored Tobacco Policies and Smoking Behaviors by Age, Gender and Sexual Orientation in the LGBTQ Population in Los Angeles County.”
We hosted our 2022 annual forum “Finding Your Breath” to discuss tobacco-related health disparities in diverse LGBTQ+ communities. The virtual event brought together community partners such as National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, Somos LEA, Cedars-Sinai, Gender Justice LA, Trans Can Work We Breathe and American Lung Association to hold honest conversations around tobacco use and wellness in the LGBTQ+ community.
California voters passed Proposition 31 during the November 2022 election which implemented SB 793, setting a statewide victory prohibiting the sale of certain flavored tobacco products at retail locations, including menthol and electronic cigarettes.