Smoking Cessation
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in Louisiana. (CDC)
As of 2023, almost 17% of adults in Louisiana and 14% in the United States continue to smoke. continue to smoke. (AHR)
Goal
End smoking by changing behavior, advancing policy and expanding access to comprehensive smoking cessation services.
Success Measure
214,000
214,000
fewer smokers by 2030
Smoking poses severe health risks, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, significantly reducing life expectancy. It also affects others through secondhand smoke, increasing their risk of developing similar health problems. Additionally, smoking leads to addiction, making it challenging to quit and resulting in substantial financial costs over time. Quitting smoking not only reduces preventable deaths but also saves billions in healthcare costs each year. Research indicates that smokers who receive a combination of behavioral treatment and cessation medications quit at higher rates than those who receive minimal intervention.
Smoking Graph
Percentage of adults who smoke.
Louisiana legislature mandates comprehensive smoking cessation coverage including individual and group counseling and pharmacotherapy by all payors. (LCRC)
What we should know & do to drive change:
Health problems caused by secondhand smoke (CDC)
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure can cause immediate harm. Harmful inflammatory and respiratory effects can be produced within 60 minutes of exposure and can last for three hours or longer after exposure.
- Since 1964, about 2,500,000 people who did not smoke died from health problems caused by secondhand smoke exposure.
- Adults: Coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, adverse reproductive health effects in women, including low birth weight.
- Infants/Children: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, ear infections, asthma attacks
Most impacted populations
- Non-Hispanic, Black individuals
- People with lower incomes
- People with less education
- People who live in rental and multi-unit housing
- People who live with someone who smokes inside the home (CDC)
- People who work in environments not covered by smoke-free air laws. Currently, Louisiana lags behind the nation in its smoke free laws. (CDC)
Secondhand smoke in my community
Not smoking is one of the healthiest things we can do. Cigarette marketing and new products targeting youth and people in communities with few opportunities make quitting an uphill battle. (LDH)
Solutions
The most effective way to provide protection from secondhand smoke are smoke free air policies. Many studies show that smoke free laws and policies in the workplace were linked to a decrease in tobacco prevalence. Smoke-free ordinances, including bans in bars and casinos, will decrease the smoking prevalence rate in Louisiana, prevent initiation of smoking among youth, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. (CDC)
Percentage of high school students who reported using an electronic vapor product in the past 30 days (AHR).
In December 2019, Congress passed Tobacco legislation that raised the federal minimum age able to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, including e-cigarettes. The Louisiana legislature passed a new law that triples the tax rate for vape products with proceeds to pay for more law enforcement and banned non-FDA-approved vaping products in the state (LDR).
Most impacted populations
- Middle and high school students
- Young adults 18-24 years
- Non-Hispanic White
- LGBTQ+ individuals
- former smokers (JAMA)
Vaping in my community
Vaping poses serious health risks, including lung and heart damage, due to harmful chemicals and addictive nicotine. It targets youth with appealing flavors, increasing addiction rates. Secondhand vapor exposure also harms non-users. The long-term effects are still unknown, raising concerns. Additionally, vaping leads to high healthcare costs and financial burdens for users. Reducing vaping, especially among young people, is crucial for public health.
Solutions
The CATCH My Breath program is based on e-cigarette susceptibility, initiation, and sustained use and is designed to prevent e-cigarette use among 5th-12th graders. The program has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of e-cigarette use among students who complete the program.
Research has shown that use of the CATCH My Breath curriculum resulted in
- Reductions in nicotine vaping use
- Increases in nicotine vaping knowledge
- Increases in positive perceptions of vape-free living
- Reductions in overall tobacco use
Success Story: Smoking Cessation
Success Story: Smoking Cessation
Dianne McAnelly of Prairieville, Louisiana starting smoking in 1962 and didn't stop for 60 years. On average, she smoked about two packs of cigarettes a day and had no intentions of ever quitting. As her health started to deteriorate, what finally led her to quit? Ochsner Health's Smoking Cessation program.
News
Healio - Researchers find tobacco cessation program cost-effective, increases cessation rates
NOLA.com - Insurers must provide six months of smoking cessation treatment under new Louisiana law
Priority Area Partners
Join us in building a healthier Louisiana for all.
Regardless of background, everyone is invited to join in shaping a healthier future for Louisiana. Together, through collective action and collaboration, we can make this vision a reality. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or support, every contribution counts in building a healthier Louisiana for all.
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