Louisiana Public Health Institute
FACT:
In young children, exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

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The Louisiana Campaign
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Think Globally, Act Locally

For immediate release

Media Contact:
Jason Melancon, TFL
504.301.9841 or jmelancon@lphi.org

Amy B. Ferguson, Keating Magee
504.299.7175 or amyf@keatingmagee.com

ALEXANDRIA – As the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global anti-tobacco treaty comes into force, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) urges Louisianians to use the “do-it-yourself” method to protect themselves from the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke. “Because Louisiana law restricts local communities from adopting comprehensive clean indoor air policies, we are urging Louisianians to make their homes, cars and businesses smoke-free to protect those who breathe the air in those places,” says Monette Fontenot, Alexandria area regional coordinator for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL).

Recent Associated Press reporting states that the global anti-tobacco treaty, finalized in May 2003, “aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths from tobacco-related illness – like cancer and heart disease – which the World Health Organization estimates kills one smoker every 6.5 seconds.” Dr. Derek Yach, former chief of the World Health Organization’s anti-tobacco efforts and treaty author, states that the evidence points to increased cessation efforts and smoke-free policies as the primary means of reducing tobacco-related deaths.

“Smoke-free policies, whether through state legislation, local ordinances, or voluntary bans, have been shown to be among the most effective ways to reduce secondhand smoke-related illnesses and deaths,” says Fontenot. “For business owners, an indoor smoking ban can actually improve the bottom line because it can reduce costs like fire insurance, workers’ comp, and employee absenteeism.”

Currently nearly one-third of all Louisiana workers remain unprotected from secondhand smoke by smoke-free policies; hospitality industry workers receive the least protection from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke. For more information about creating smoke-free environments in the Alexandria area, contact Monette Fontenot at (318) 730-2179, or visit www.tobaccofreeliving.org.