Ireland has been a global leader in reducing tobacco use, but substantial numbers of people continue to smoke, leading to more than 4,500 premature deaths each year. Rates of smoking, and more recently, vaping, are especially high in marginalised groups, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) community.

Many smokers who identify as LGBTQ+ want to quit, but often struggle to do so, possibly due to barriers like nicotine dependence, targeted marketing of tobacco and nicotine products, stress induced by prejudice and discrimination, and difficulty accessing compassionate health services.

This knowledge exchange event will feature national and international researchers and practitioners discussing the issues, population health challenges and possible ways forward.

The presenters and panellists are:

• Professor Frank Doyle, Associate Professor in Psychology, Department of Health Psychology, School of Population Health, RCSI
• Dr Paul Kavanagh, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme
• Hannah Kelly, Programmes and Services Manager, Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre
• Patrick McElligott, Counselling Coordinator, GOSHH
• Dr Chris Noone, Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Galway
• Professor Lorraine R. Reitzel, Professor and Deputy Chair, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Professor Kenneth D. Ward, Professor and Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs, College of Population Health, University of New Mexico

The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr Caroline Kelleher, Lecturer at the Department of Health Psychology, School of Population Health, RCSI

The webinar is organised by the RCSI School of Population Health in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE), the University of New Mexico College of Population Health, the University of Galway, Outhouse and GOSHH. It is supported by Gay Community News (GCN) and the Fulbright Commission in Ireland.