Tobacco industry’s targeted messages

Regarding “A hidden epidemic” (Open Forum, Sept. 28): Another group in our society disproportionately affected by smoking is the LGBT community. The LGBT National Tobacco Control Network has estimated that this community has smoking rates from 50 percent to 200 percent higher than the general population.

Even though marriage equality has been achieved, gay men, lesbians, and transgendered individuals still face stressful lives. In over half of our states, there are still no protections for them against discrimination in employment, housing, and accommodations. The tobacco companies who are targeting the LGBT community through advertising are shamefully preying on this stress to promote a product that hastens death.

Julian Grant, Pacifica