Tobacco Cessation and Prevention
Taking Down Tobacco in Louisiana
To be a healthier Louisiana, we need to be a tobacco-free Louisiana. Well-Ahead Louisiana supports communities and organizations as they make changes to help our residents geaux tobacco-free.
While Louisiana has made progress in the fight against tobacco use, the data shows more work is needed. We must continue to provide resources to all residents who are ready to quit tobacco for good, as well as promote tobacco-free policies. We must also elevate our efforts that encourage high school and middle school students to say “no” to vaping. By empowering organizations and leaders in our communities to play an active role in tobacco prevention and cessation, we can work toward a healthy, tobacco-free future for Louisiana.
Tobacco
is the nation’s leading cause of preventable disease¹
45%
of low-income adults use tobacco²
130000+
Louisiana youth currently use tobacco products. 3,4
1 in 4
Louisiana adults smoke tobacco²
Best Practice Guidelines for a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program
Our tobacco cessation and prevention program is built around best practices identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The components of a comprehensive tobacco control program include:
State and Community Interventions
Developing and supporting programs and policies that can be implemented at organizational, municipal and state levels to make policy, systems and environmental changes that support residents in geauxing tobacco-free
Mass-Reach Health Communications Interventions
Delivering strategic, culturally appropriate and high-impact messages to combat tobacco industry marketing strategies through media and health promotion activities
Cessation Interventions
Promoting health systems change, expanding health plan coverage of proven cessation treatments and supporting Quit With Us, Louisiana
Surveillance and Evaluation
Monitoring and documenting key short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes within populations to inform program and policy directions, demonstrate program effectiveness and monitor progress on reducing health disparities.
In coordination with our statewide WellSpot Designation program, we work with organizations to implement evidence-based strategies and promote healthy choices in the spaces and places where we live, work, learn and play to promote tobacco use cessation, prevent tobacco use initiation and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke for Louisiana residents.
Emerging Tobacco Products
Tobacco companies continue to innovate and market tobacco products in new ways to get our residents, especially young people, hooked on tobacco.
Louisiana Legislation
Changes to policy are a key component to ensuring a tobacco-free Louisiana. By working with the state government, Well-Ahead educates state leaders, decision-makers and the public about evidence-based policies to reduce the burden of tobacco use statewide.
Tobacco-Free Louisiana Coalition
Well-Ahead convenes organizations throughout Louisiana to align efforts and implement strategic planning, focused initiatives and outreach programs to reduce tobacco use in our state.
Vape-Free Schools Toolkit
Schools can take the lead in responding to the youth vaping epidemic by using this online toolkit. There are resources and education for schools to help prevent students from using tobacco products and support students who need help quitting.
Secondhand Smoke
Clean air should be available to all our residents at all times. Secondhand smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals that are inhaled by residents who smoke. By promoting smoke- and tobacco-free policies in all spaces and places across our state, we can help our residents breathe easier.
Tobacco Cessation
Well-Ahead is committed to helping our residents quit tobacco for good. By providing quit resources to community members, tools to help others quit and information about cessation coverage, we are working toward a tobacco-free Louisiana.
Tobacco Cessation Education and Training for Providers
Healthcare professionals are crucial in providing cessation support for their patients. Well-Ahead provides training and education to help make tobacco screening and referring a standard of care.
Tobacco Data Collection
The fight against tobacco use begins with knowing the facts. Well-Ahead compiles the latest data that illustrate the dangerous burden of tobacco use in our state.
Tobacco Industry Marketing
Tobacco advertising is a powerful influence. That’s why we must be aware of tobacco companies’ tactics to target our most vulnerable communities.
Youth Tobacco Use
Well-Ahead works with schools, out-of-school time programs (which include before- and after-school programs) and other youth influencers to increase awareness about the serious risks of tobacco use, to educate on available youth cessation tools and to provide guidance on how to take action on campuses, in communities and at home.
Citations
1 CDC National Health Report Highlights, 2013. https://www.cdc.gov/healthreport/publications/compendium.pdf
2 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2021.
3 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey, 2021. https://wellaheadla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2021_LYTS-Report.pdf.
4 US Census Bureau: 2021 5-Year ACS PUMS Microdata. https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS5Y2021&vv=AGEP(14:18)&rv=ucgid&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US22.
Success Stories
By committing to geauxing tobacco-free, we are positively influencing the health our communities, one step at a time.
Better Health through Better Understanding
Chronic Disease Prevalence for Louisiana Minorities Louisiana is home to a melting pot of people, making up the rich culture of our state. Unfortunately, not all of our residents are afforded the same access to care.
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