Longitudinal trends in vaping, smoking, and harmful alcohol use across sexual orientations in the UK (2014–2021)

Unlike prior studies that reported disparities, our longitudinal analysis found little to no evidence that sexual minorities had elevated or widening substance use disparities. While some subgroups exhibited elevated risks in specific years, these patterns were not sustained over time. Future research should explore how social stressors, policy contexts, and community norms interact to inform targeted, inclusive interventions that reflect the diversity within LGBTQ+ populations.