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IntroductionLesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals smoke at rates 1.5-2 times higher than the general population, but less is known about LGB consumption of other tobacco products (OTPs) and gender differences. OTP use among young adult LGB bar patrons and the relationship among past quit attempts, intention to quit, and binge drinking with OTP use was examined.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of young adults (aged 18-26) in bars/nightclubs in seven U.S. cities between 2012 and 2014 (N=8,010; 1,101 LGB participants) was analyzed in 2016. Logistic regressions examined current use of five OTPs (cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, chewing tobacco, and snus) and sexual minority status, adjusting for demographics and comparing LB women and GB men with their heterosexual counterparts.ResultsLGB bar/nightclub patrons used all OTPs more than their heterosexual counterparts. LB women were more likely than heterosexual women to use cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, chew, and snus. GB men were more likely than heterosexual men to smoke cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, and use chew and snus. Past-year quit attempt was associated with increased odds of electronic cigarette use in men and women, and increased odds of dual use (cigarettes and OTPs) among men. Intention to quit was negatively associated with dual use among women. Binge drinking was associated with increased use of all OTPs across genders.ConclusionsLGB bar-going young adults are at higher risk for OTP use than their heterosexual counterparts. Bar-based interventions are needed to address all forms of tobacco use in this high-risk group.

Background: Tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) high school students as well as related environment and school-level risk and protective factors were examined. Methods: Data was acquired from the 2015 CDC's Youth Behavior Risk Survey for Kentucky (N = 2577). Prevalence of substance use was calculated for all high school respondents by reported sexual orientation. Multivariate analyses estimated the relationship between school and environmental-level factors (eg, having an adult to talk to) and tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use via logistic regressions. Sexual orientation, gender, age, and race/ethnicity were covariates. Results: LGB students used tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs more frequently than their heterosexual counterparts. More LGB teens report facing school risk factors (eg, 37% LGB vs 20% heterosexual bullied at school, p = 0.001; 17% LGB vs 5% heterosexual ever threatened or injured at school, p < 0.001; 13% LGB vs 7% heterosexual involved in a school fight, p = 0.001). Adjusting for school related risk factors, having an adult to talk to was associated with a reduced likelihood of daily smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-0.73), past 30-day alcohol use (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-0.95), and ever marijuana use (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-1.00). Conclusion: Innovative strategies are needed to create safe, supportive school environments. These strategies are particularly needed in predominately rural states like Kentucky.

Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is quickly growing in the United States, despite the unknown health implications and unregulated device contents. Although research is emerging around e-cigs in general, there continues to be a lack of scientific evidence regarding the safety and risks of e-cig use on maternal and fetal health, even though adverse health effects of nicotine on maternal and fetal outcomes are documented. This review summarizes existing perceptions of e-cig use in pregnancy, based on the limited number of publications available, and highlights the necessity of conducting additional research in this field of public health. Authors conducted a literature search of scientific peer-reviewed articles published from January 2006 to October 2016, comprising more than a decade of research. Search keywords include "tobacco use", "electronic cigarette(s)" and "pregnancy". Fifty-seven publications were identified, narrowed to fifteen by screening title/abstract for potential relevance, with seven articles chosen for final inclusion. Of these seven studies, most participants not only believed e-cigs pose risks to maternal and child health but also perceived e-cigs as a safer and potentially healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, and may assist with smoking cessation. Further research is needed to determine health implications and provide clinical guidelines for e-cig use in pregnancy.

Objective: Tobacco-free policies are being rapidly adopted nationwide, yet compliance with these policies remains a challenge. This study explored college campus key informants' experiences with tobacco policies, and their perceived benefits, drawbacks, and outcomes. Participants: The sample for this study was 68 key informants representing 16 different California universities with varying tobacco policies (no smoking indoors and within 20 feet of entrances, designated smoking areas, 100% smoke-free, and 100% tobacco-free). Methods: Qualitative, descriptive study. Semistructured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Strategies to improve compliance ranged from a social approach to a heavy focus on punitive enforcement. Key informants from campuses using a social approach alone reported barriers to improving compliance, including a perceived lack of efficacy of the approach. However, these campuses found it challenging to incorporate enforcement through campus police or security. Conclusions: College campus decision makers should explore using a combined approach (social approach as well as formal enforcement), with enforcement primarily the responsibility of nonpolice university channels (eg, Student Affairs, employee supervisors).

Recovery coaches are individuals with lived experience with recovery from substance use disorder who typically engender a greater sense of trust than found with other types of healthcare providers. However, there currently are no validated tools that measure the connection between recovery coaches and their participants. The purpose of this study was to describe the initial development of the Scales for Participant Alliance with Recovery Coach (SPARC) to measure recovery coach connection or alliance, including initial psychometric analyses. Measurement development began with five scales of the Client Evaluation of Self Treatment (treatment participation, treatment satisfaction, rapport, peer support, and social support). Adapted items were pre-tested with focus groups (n = 8) to ensure they were meaningful and accurately reflected the domains (Study 1). After modifications, the SPARC has six scales (engagement, satisfaction, rapport, motivation and encouragement, role model and community linkage). The survey was piloted with 100 individuals (Study 2) age 18 or over who had met with a recovery coach within the last six months. Most study participants were male (60%) and white (87%) with less than two years in recovery. After removing two low performing items, the items for five of the domains had acceptable internal consistency. The items for the engagement domain had a slightly lower reliability. Findings suggest that items cover relevant recovery coach roles, are internally consistent within domains, and can be easily administered to individuals engaging in recovery coaching services. Additional research is needed with a larger, more heterogenous sample to further refine items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with substance use disorders (SUD), especially opioid use disorder (OUD) have the highest rates of unintended pregnancies (80–95%) and report unmet reproductive health needs. Women of childbearing age have some of the highest death rates from opioids and are notably rising the most rapidly, and when pregnancy does occur overdose is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. There are numerous gender‐based health disparities and social determinants of health shaped by the distribution of power and privilege that influence the risk trajectories of people who can get pregnant or are pregnant with a substance use disorder (SUD). Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe how reproductive health is essential to recovery and building recovery capital for people who can get pregnant, (1) introduce a pilot implementation science study working with trained peer support coaches to promote reproductive autonomy in the community, and (2) make policy and advocacy recommendations relevant to the new reproductive health landscape in the United States. We will also describe the adaptation and feasibility of the initial pilot study where we partnered with a recovery community center to train peer recovery coaches to provide low barrier resources (contraception, pregnancy tests and prenatal vitamins) and referrals to health care. Methods: This initiative is the merging of best practices in recovery and community‐based global reproductive health, to empower people with SUD who can get pregnant in an implementation science framework. The pilot study will last 3 months in each city and aims to (1) assess and describe the effectiveness of the training of local peer recovery coaches on the link between recovery capital and reproductive health, and (2) assess the feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, scalability, sustainability, and uptake and reach of low barrier reproductive health resources (pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, and emergency contraception). In this paper we are only reporting the initial findings regarding adaptation and feasibility. Findings Informed by qualitative interviews with stakeholders and participants, the method of contraception was adapted from injectable to emergency to meet the needs and context of the community with SUD. Early outcomes such as uptake and acceptability indicate that this is a feasible model with peer recovery coaches and recovery community centers, with the greatest uptake of emergency contraception and pregnancy tests. Conclusion: Considering recent policies limiting access to reproductive health, innovative community‐based solutions are needed to engage and empower people who can get pregnant or are pregnant while in active drug use and in recovery. Providing low barrier reproductive health items by people with lived experience with SUD can serve as a valuable harm reduction model and improve recovery capital. Clinical Relevance: This is the first study to propose a methodology and context to implement a community‐based study merging best practices in recovery with those in reproductive health with the potential to improve recovery capital and maternal/child health trajectories for people with SUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In 2019, the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) collected sexual orientation data for the first time in Kentucky. Tobacco use behaviors and mental health status among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) youth is infrequently documented in southern states such as Kentucky. This study aimed to analyze self‐reported tobacco use and mental health in youth by sexual orientation. Design: Cross‐sectional survey. Sample: All participants, aged 12–19, of the 2019 Kentucky YRBS that indicated a sexual orientation. Measurements: Differences in response distributions for tobacco use and mental health measures were analyzed via chi square by sexual orientation, with additional stratification by sex. Results: A total of n = 1996 respondents were 12.8% LGB‐identified and 82.1% heterosexual‐identified. No disparities between LGB and heterosexual youth were observed in tobacco‐related behaviors for male students, but disparities were persistent for female students (p =.005 for "tried tobacco before age 13"; p =.007 for "current smoking", p =.012 for "ever smoked"). Mental health disparities between LGB and heterosexual youth were significant for males and females (p <.05, all mental health measures). Conclusions: Findings suggest that tobacco disparities in this most recent data are narrower than in previous years; however, mental health disparities persist between LGB and heterosexual youth in Kentucky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]