The presence of tobacco disparities is a social justice issue resulting from an inequitable distribution of resources and decision-making power, such that certain groups of people have unequal access to and unequal benefit from public goods and services.

Groups that are disparately affected by tobacco ("tobacco disparity groups") face a variety of systemic social and economic challenges that have both direct and indirect effects. Using tobacco is often a complex response influenced by poverty, oppression, stigma, discrimination and the stress created by the systematic de-valuing and exclusion of disparately affected populations. Targeted media messages generated by the tobacco industry reinforce the use of tobacco among these groups. (Excerpted from the Tobacco Disparities Strategic Plan, November 2006).

The Denver Alliance on Tobacco and Health (DATH) Community Coalition collaborates with the following communities and populations to reduce tobacco use: (click on the links below to find out more about each population)

African Americans

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex (GLBTQI)

Latinos/Hispanics

Native Americans/American Indians

People with Disabilities

People with Low Socioeconomic Status

People with Mental Health/Mental Health Consumers

People with Substance Abuse Disorders

Spit Tobacco Users