Los Angeles ? Los Angeles County health officials are focusing a new anti-smoking program at gays and lesbians, who they say are nearly twice as likely to smoke as the general population.

The “Last Drag” campaign aims to reach gays and lesbians through print ads and efforts in bars and clubs – where health officials say many smokers picked up the habit to begin with.

Health officials have set up smoking cessation programs targeting gay men at three local area health organizations and plan to start programs early next year for lesbians. Similar classes have operated in San Francisco for several years.

Los Angeles’ campaign is a response to a California Department of Health Services study last month that found 30.4 percent of the state’s gay community smokes, compared to 15.4 percent of the general population.