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The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals? Tobacco Control Program announced today that Louisiana is one of three states, including Montana and Michigan, to receive a competitive grant to expand comprehensive tobacco-free school policies in more schools. The grant comes from the National School Boards Association, and provides technical assistance to the LTCP as well as $1,500 in funding. The grant awarded to Louisiana will help LTCP provide support to school districts in their efforts to adopt comprehensive tobacco-free policies. LTCP and local community grantees help school boards enhance their current policy on tobacco-use to meet CDC?s Guidelines on School Health Policies to Prevent Tobacco Use, and also provides Tobacco-Free Campus signage to each school in district with comprehensive policy. LTCP works with an NSBA consultant who provides guidance to LTCP during monthly meetings, improves direct communications between LTCP and the NSBA, links state program to a network of other states working on Tobacco-Free Schools, and assists health department with building relationships with local school boards. The grant will also pay for LTCP to participate in a national meeting with NSBA next year. The goals of comprehensive tobacco-free school policies are to provide a safe learning environment and to promote healthy behaviors for Louisiana?s kids,? explained Gerrelda Davis, Director of the Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health. ?Officials with the Tobacco Control Program are arming school districts with the materials they need to educate parents, teachers, administrators and youth to live healthier lives free from tobacco.? After evaluating applications from state teams across the country, the National Consortium on Tobacco Use Prevention through Schools determined that the Louisiana Tobacco Control Program met the goals of our group in providing local school boards with the tools they need to promote tobacco-free schools policies,? noted Karen Lewis, Project Associate for Tobacco Use Prevention with the NSBA. While all public buildings are smoke-free by state law, school districts may implement additional smoke-free policies. These policies could include mandating that all school property be completely tobacco-free, banning tobacco promotion and advertising at school-sponsored events, and providing cessation assistance for those already addicted to tobacco. Currently, over 226,000 Louisiana students within 465 schools are protected by comprehensive tobacco-free policies. Additional support is also being provided by the CDC to schools working toward a Louisiana School of Excellence in Tobacco Prevention designation by instituting evidence-based curriculums for prevention of tobacco use and addiction. A recently-released national report by the United Health Foundation gave Louisiana its highest health care ranking ever, and was buoyed by the state?s efforts to fight smoking and tobacco use. The state rose six spots to 35th in the nation in terms of smoking prevention. LTCP, as well as the Governor?s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and other programs, were instrumental in those efforts. To evaluate a school or district?s tobacco policy, and work towards having Tobacco-Free Schools of Excellence, visit LaTobaccoControl.com or contact Tiffany Netters, Louisiana Tobacco Control Program Manager, at 225-342-2664. About The Louisiana Tobacco Control Program The Louisiana Tobacco Control Program, under the Department of Health and Hospitals, began in 1993 as community and statewide program of advocacy for a tobacco-free environment. The program is committed to promoting partnerships and using evidence-based strategies for tobacco prevention, control and awareness in order to empower citizens to make healthy lifestyle choices to create a Tobacco-Free Louisiana. Visit www.LaTobaccoControl.com for more information. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. |
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