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In my area, I have noticed that quite a few people LGB people are smokers. I am not a smoker myself, but around 75% of my gay friends smoke (yes, I listed them all and counted =P). My theory for this is pretty weak, but I noticed that it's much easier to talk to people in smoking designated areas, where it's much quieter. Also, I think it may just have something to do with alternative lifestyles and that habits that surround it.

I'm curious to know if this trend is also present in other areas. So I have a few questions for you guys:

Do you smoke?
How many of your LGB friends smoke?
Why do you think this is?
And anything else you would like to add.

What exactly is the alternative lifestyle?

How is being gay or bisexual an alternative? I don't get it.

No...I really don't get it.

I'm straight but I'm transgender which isn't really listed there...

Ummm I don't smoke. I've got a slew of LGBT friends and some smoke pot but not cigarettes. Not too many smoke. I don't see a co-relation. When I was in college for photography the majority of photo students smoked pot, and that's the biggest group of people with a commonality that I've seen smokers. Cigs I have no clue about.

does not being straight make any difference on wether or not someone smokes? i dont smoke and i dont keep in contact with many of my gay friends but none of th eones i still talk to smoke. a few people in my family are drunk smokers so i try to avoid people who drink and smoke alot

LGBT are more prone to alcohol/tobacco/drug abuse as is, although familial support has been found to DRASTICALLY reduce this. Conclusion: it has more to do with being ostracized and self-hatred as a result of sexual orientation/gender identity than the orientation/identity itself.

I never really thought about it before. but I'm a social smoker. I accidentally got my guy (bi) into smoking too. redface He's trying to quit now.

Lemme think...I have.......four other non-straight friends that smoke and LaFey, a transgender woman I know, does not. I have two gay friends who don't.

So. Yeah, there. lol biggrin

I am a smoker for almost 3 years. I started because the boyfriend that I had just broken up with was such a b*****d I had to spite him somehow. He never let me paint my nails any color other than pink or red or clear, because to do otherwise meant I was a whore. And he absolutely hated the fact that I was attracted to other women. He smoked and drank every chance he got, and refused to let me do the same. So the day we broke up I picked up smoking. Stupid reason, eh?

I don't have any LGB friends, but I think that smoking as a social device is a probable reason. Personally I do it for stress management and because I like to. But hey, asking somebody to bum a smoke or if they've got a lighter is a great way to start a conversation. I've met some fascinating people who've bummed a cig from me. It's also a simple prop for those who talk with their hands or have a flair for the dramatic.

My sister and I used to play a smoking game where we'd think of a famous quote from a movie or something and dramatize it, using the cigarette to drive the scene. For example, we'd decide on "I just can't do this." and we'd both repeat it however we like to interpret it. She'd take a deep breath and sigh heavily, flicking her cigarette nervously, saying "I...I just...I can't do this!" Then for my turn, I'd take a long drag, blow the smoke through my nose and whisper "I just can't do this."

It was loads of fun (though a little random and off topic, I'll admit).