Tobacco Policies at Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Festivals: 100 Most Populous Cities, USA, 2017

Significance: Substantial disparities in smoking exist for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Causes of these disparities include permissive norms toward tobacco in community spaces. One such community space that can promote norms is the pride parade and festival. Pride events have played an important role in LGBT efforts to gain recognition and acceptance, and in 2016 there were over 900 such events globally. Yet, no study has examined coverage of smoke and tobacco-free policies at pride festivals in the USA.

Methods: We identified 104 pride events in the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. using systematic searching and directories of pride festivals. Of these 101 showed web updates in the last year and were included in the study. Using a quantitative content analysis approach, we coded each pride event’s web pages for smoke-free policies and tobacco-free policies. If necessary, we contacted pride staff for information. Two independent coders established inter-rater reliability following a written coding protocol. Data were collected from February to April 2017.

Results: Of the 101 identified active pride events, only 8 pride events had a smoke-free grounds policy, and 3 pride events had a tobacco-free grounds policy. Smoke- and tobacco-free park policies were responsible for many of these protections.

Conclusions: Festivalgoers at pride events across the country are rarely protected from involuntary smoking. The few protections from involuntary smoking are largely due to municipal smoke- or tobacco-free park ordinances. Engagement with pride event organizers is warranted to increase coverage of policies that promote health. Municipal tobacco-free park ordinances may have unanticipated benefits for promoting tobacco-free policies at pride events.