Adolescent same-sex and both-sex romantic attractions and relationships: implications for smoking.
OBJECTIVE
We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between smoking and romantic attractions and relationships.


METHODS
We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to assess associations of smoking at Waves I and II with same-sex, both-sex, and opposite-sex romantic attractions or relationships as determined at Wave I. We used logistic regression to predict smoking at Wave II by sexual orientation.


RESULTS
Both adolescent boys and adolescent girls with both-sex attractions or relationships were significantly more likely than those with opposite-sex attractions or relationships to be current smokers. Adolescent boys and girls with both-sex attractions or relationships who were nonsmokers at Wave I were more likely to be current smokers at Wave II than those with opposite-sex attractions or relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support previous research on smoking among youths who report same-sex or both-sex romantic attractions or relationships and demonstrate the increased risk bisexual youths have for smoking initiation and smoking prevalence. Tobacco use prevention programs targeting gay and bisexual youths are warranted, particularly among adolescent girls and boys who have had both-sex romantic attractions or relationships.
Easton
Alyssa
A
Steps Program Office, Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Mailstop K-85, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. ace7@cdc.gov
Jackson
Kat
K
Mowery
Paul
P
Comeau
Dawn
D
Sell
Randall
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology