Big Tobacco Targets Vulnerable Populations

Although cigarette smoking has declined significantly since 1964, disparities in tobacco use remain across groups defined by race, ethnicity, educational level, and socioeconomic status and across regions of the country.

See how tobacco equals a Social Justice Issue.

Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program's Focused Work for Vulnerable Populations

Tobacco Prevention Specialists across the state work specifically with Montanan Youth, Montanan American Indian populations and Behavioral Health Centers. To learn more about these topics, select the button to the left.

Youth and Young Adults

Big Tobacco is targeting youth to create life-long customers. As current tobacco-users are dying, Big Tobacco needs to find their “replacement smokers". Find out how youth are being targeted and how MTUPP is countering the efforts.

American Indian Populations

Find out how MTUPP's American Indian programs address tobacco prevention. Sacred tobacco plays an important role in many American Indian Tribes and can bring great healing. However, depending on intent of use, a great many American Indian people have become addicted to commercial tobacco harming many individuals and American Indian communities.

Montanans with Addictions & Mental Health Issues

Adults with some form of mental illness have a smoking rate 70% higher than adults with no mental illness. MTUPP, in conjunction with the Addictive and Mental and Disorders Division of DPHHS, developed a toolkit to assist Behavior Health Systems and Providers with integrating tobacco treatment and policies into their programs as a way to better help clients overcome their addiction. Contact MTUPP Cessation Specialist for a copy of the toolkit.

Other Vulnerable Populations

Centers for Disease Control and other national networks provide further information on groups targeted by big tobacco.

LGBT Community

LGBT populations are more likely to experience select health risks, including smoking. Among LGBT adults in Montana, more than 1 in 4 (27%) currently smoke cigarettes, which is 70% higher than non-LGBT adults (BRFSS, 2019).

Military Personnel and Veterans

If you are currently serving in the military, you’re more likely to smoke cigarettes than civilians. Smoking is even more common for those of you who have been deployed.

Other Population Groups

Find information on other population groups who are hardest hit by the burden of commercial tobacco use.