London Survey Finds Nicotine Use Embedded in LGBTQ+ Social Life, With Half of Users Trying to Quit
Smoking and vaping in London's LGBTQ+ community are driven by social isolation and lifestyle pressures rather than nicotine alone, according to a first-of-its-type survey released on Oct. 22 by the charity LGBT HERO and Stop Smoking London.
More than 1,620 people responded, and 60% said they currently smoke, vape or use other tobacco or nicotine products — a rate well above the general population. Among those answering a status question, 24% vaped only and 23% both smoked and vaped, against 12% who smoked only, according to the full report published by the London Tobacco Alliance.
Socialising, stress, boredom and nightlife were the most frequently cited reasons for nicotine use, with smoking areas acting as key social and meeting spaces. Vaping looked more continuous and harder to interrupt than smoking: 88% of vapers used daily, and 70% said a full day without vaping would be difficult. Among dual users, 60% found a day without vaping hard to manage, compared with 22% for smoking.
Roughly half of smokers, vapers and dual users had previously tried to quit, but cold turkey was by far the most common method. Professional help was uncommon, and awareness of available medication and apps was low.
The campaign model was seen but not persuasive. Almost two-thirds had noticed stop-smoking campaigns, particularly through health services, social media and product packaging, yet only 26% considered the messages very or somewhat effective; 60% thought current stop-smoking messages were not very effective or not effective at all.
Seventy-six percent said it was very or somewhat important that stop-smoking messaging includes LGBTQ+ people, and respondents asked for campaigns that address stigma, mental health, nightlife and co-use with alcohol or other substances, alongside diverse representation, inclusive language and a visible presence in LGBTQ+ spaces.
Tracy Parr, programme director at Stop Smoking London, said the results show messaging must be better tailored to LGBTQ+ people "if we want it to cut through to those we're most keen to reach," removing barriers to the support they need to quit. Ian Howley, CEO of LGBT HERO, said smoking for many LGBTQ+ people "isn't just about nicotine. It can be about stress, loneliness, mental health and even the way we socialise," and that understanding why people smoke matters more than simply telling them to stop.
Building on the findings, the two organisations will launch Stop Smoking London LGBTQ+ Week from Oct. 26 to 30, working with LGBTQ+ organisations, community and voluntary groups, health partners and charities to promote free, inclusive quit support, including the Smoke Free App, which provides 24/7 access to cessation advisors and nicotine replacement therapies, alongside services run by London's local authorities.
[Reference]
- Vapesee (original report) — https://vapesee.com/info/31988
- London Post (survey results, Oct. 22, 2026) — https://london-post.co.uk/ground-breaking-survey-shines-new-light-on-smoking-rates-in-londons-lgbtq-community/
- London Tobacco Alliance, Smoking & Vaping in the LGBTQ+ Community Report 2026 — https://www.londontobaccoalliance.org.uk/resources/lgbtq-smoking-survey-2026-report/
- Stop Smoking London LGBTQ+ Week — https://stopsmokinglondon.com/lgbtq-week/