Patterns of cigarette smoking and alcohol use among lesbians and bisexual women enrolled in a large health maintenance organization

Objectives. This study compared the prevalence of cigarette smoking and alc ohol use among lesbians and bisexual women with that among heterosexual wom en. Methods. Logistic regression models were created with data from an extensiv e member health survey at a large health maintenance organization. Sexual o rientation was the primary predictor, and alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were outcomes. Results. Lesbians and bisexual women younger than 50 years were more likely than heterosexual women to smoke cigarettes and drink heavily. Lesbians an d bisexual women aged 20 to 34 reported higher weekly alcohol consumption a nd less abstinence compared with heterosexual women and older lesbians and bisexual women. Conclusions. Lesbians and bisexual women aged 20 to 34 years are at risk fo r alcohol use and cigarette smoking.