As organizations that work with HIV+ individuals and the wider LGBT community, The DC Center for the LGBT Community, the DC Trans Coalition, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the Latino GLBT History Project, Metro Teen AIDS, SMYAL, and Transgender Health Empowerment are calling on the DC government to make information available at all stores that sell tobacco products about the additional dangers of smoking while living with HIV.

At least 15,000 people over the age of 12 in the District of Columbia are living with HIV and between 60% and 70% of people living with HIV smoke. Tobacco use can seriously complicate HIV treatment – and HIV+ smokers have a higher risk for both HIV and smoking-related disease.

Tobacco companies are not in the business of looking out for people’s health and many HIV positive smokers don’t know that smoking can seriously complicate your treatment. District residents deserve all the facts so that they can make informed decisions.

Tell the DC Council: Make information about the dangers of smoking while living with HIV available with all tobacco purchases in the District of Columbia.