Ohio hopes to prevent smoking by gay youth, others

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio is beginning a pilot project in northeast Ohio aimed at preventing tobacco use by the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Ohio health officials say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the rate of tobacco use among that youth demographic is 60 percent higher than in the general youth population.

The state health department says the ButtOut Ohio project will focus on the Cleveland area. It will educate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth about tobacco’s health risks and provide resources to help users quit.

Officials say young people often pay little attention to traditional media campaigns. They say those aimed at the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender populations are a challenge because many fear discrimination if their sexual orientation is known.