Seattle-King County Public Health is using some of the funds it received from a Juul Labs settlement in 2023 to hear directly from LGBTQIA+ youth - who vape at disproportionately high rates compared to heterosexuals - about consumption prevention messaging that's culturally relevant to further reduce rates. Through Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center, formerly Gay City, those aged 13-18 can participate in a couple of paid research studies as part of the county's greater initiative involving youth of all identities.

The 2023 Juul settlement was part of a global settlement regarding the addictiveness of e-cigarette usage in youth, and how the company directly targeted youth in its sales efforts, with funds now being applied toward local prevention endeavors.

Also from that year is the most up-to-date King County Public Health data on vaping for 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. From the latter three grades, 6.9% reported using e-cigarettes on one or more of the previous 30 days (3% in grade 8, 5.8% in grade 10, and 11.3% in grade 12).

These data rely on the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS), which is filled in by public school students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 every other year.

LGBTQIA+ youth are more likely to consume electronic nicotine products due to higher rates of discrimination and harassment, leading to stress and mental health challenges. Regarding gender, 9.5% of those identifying as Trans used e-cigarettes on one or more of the previous 30 days, as did 8.2% of those who were questioning, 8.1% of females, 5.6% of males, and 7.9% of those who said "something else fits better."

When it comes to sexual orientation, the rate for LGB+ people (10.5%) are nearly double that of heterosexuals (6.1%).

Between 2012 and 2023, the highest year of usage was in 2018 at 16.8%, but has since been on a downward trend. And while the rates of vaping continue to decline, it's doing so at a less drastic rate than from 2018 to 2021.

Currently, the Washington Department of Health is researching ways to best engage with LGBTQIA+ communities: Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center is offering a one-hour virtual facilitated discussion and a survey response session. All responses in the Vaping Research Survey Group will be anonymous and confidential, and will only be recorded with consent. This survey is for Queer youth aged 13-17, and parents must sign a consent form. Compensation is about $65.

Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center will also host a Juul Research Group, a 90-minute virtual, facilitated discussion for those aged 14-18. Additional details about this session will be released in the future.

For those interested in participating, email [email protected].