Tuesday, October 11th will mark the 28th Anniversary of National Coming Out Day. The Human Rights Campaign aims to celebrate coming out, whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied. According to Smokefree Teen, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth are more likely to start smoking than their straight peers. Their reasons for smoking may be similar, but LGBT youth are dealing with other issues, such as figuring out who they are and how to fit in -- or wondering how to come out.

Tobacco companies know this, and take care to directly market to the LGBT community. For example, in 1995, a marketing plan called "Project SCUM" (Project Subculture Urban Marketing) was proposed by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) to target the LGBT community in San Francisco. According to smokefree.gov, the plan was designed to appeal to the rebellious, nontraditional characteristics of the LGBT community.

Spending $13 million each year to promote cigarette use in the United States alone, the Tobacco company has targeted the LGBT community since at least 1991. They advertise at Pride and other community events, and contribute money to both national and local LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations, according to The DC LGBT Center. By positioning themselves as allies to the gay rights movement, it has been easier for tobacco companies to become more accepted into the community.

Social smoking and fitting in are major reasons for members of the LGBT community to become involved with tobacco. Although it can help establish common ground between people and help cope with the daily stress concerning the stigma and prejudice towards the LGBT community, it leaves these specific members at a greater risk for health complications.

According to a report by the American Lung Association, smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the country. It is the primary cause of the two deadliest lung diseases, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The smoking rate among the LGBT community is roughly double than that of the general population, leaving an increasing amount of members in this community to face these deadly risks.

Spark, a Wisconsin-wide and state-supported program, is dedicated to raising awareness and changing perception on the use of all tobacco products. It aims to promote and pass tobacco-free policies on college campuses across Wisconsin, as well as to educate campus communities of the threats of tobacco in all its forms. Spark has made its home in Kenosha, recently establishing a group on Carthage College's campus. This National Coming Out Day, SPARK Kenosha wants you to be aware of the statistics, facts and risks the LGBT community faces against the Tobacco Industry.

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Find out more on how you can make a difference. Reach out to SPARK Kenosha by liking our Facebook Page, or emailing us at spark.kenosha@gmail.com