Smoke-free advocates are striving to improve the public health of Louisianans one parish at a time by working to pass comprehensive local smoke-free ordinances. Next up: Lafayette Parish.
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The zydeco and Cajun seat of the state is home to 240,098 citizens, many of which are hospitality and leisure industry employees. Smoke-free policies are a proven strategy to reduce tobacco use, and a key component of creating change is to lead by example.
Local smoke-free ordinances protect public health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and encourage smokers to quit. Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and can cause coronary heart disease and stroke. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can damage the lining of blood vessels and cause sticking of the blood platelets. These changes can cause a deadly heart attack.
Advocates previously attempted to pass a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance in Lafayette parish in 2015, but were met with opposition with a failing vote 5-4. Since then the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act has celebrated its 10-year anniversary, as well as other neighboring parishes. With Lafayette parish being the sixth largest parish in the state, it’s time to go smoke-free.
#SmokeFreeLaffy for a healthier Louisiana!
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