Louisiana’s teen tobacco usage rates remain higher than the national average, with approximately 38.3 percent of high school and 15.6 percent of middle school students in Louisiana use tobacco, according to the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS).

In light of these startling statistics, youth throughout the state are choosing to Stand UP! against the tobacco industry and its adolescent-targeted direct marketing efforts. Twelve groups across the state were awarded grants from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) to engage and get youth involved with tobacco control and prevention efforts through the Defy the Lies initiative. As part of the grant, Defy teams participated in the point-of-purchase (also known as point-of-sale) project, which focused on tobacco products and advertising in stores where youth are likely to visit on a regular basis, like gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and corner stores in their own communities.

“Reaching out to Louisiana youth, especially during the transition from middle and high school, is crucial,” said Tonia Moore, Associate Director for TFL. “We are continuously working to get local communities involved in TFL’s Defy the Lies initiative, a youth movement that takes down the influence of the tobacco industry, promotes tobacco-free lifestyles, and brings awareness to media and elected officials about what tobacco products are being consumed by and sold to our youth. The time is now to get a better handle on the large number of youth using tobacco products and stand up to the aggressive marketing tactics being used today.”

Click here to read the full story.

While the effects of alcohol abuse are well known, “binge drinking is an important and under-recognized women’s health issue,” according to Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent report looked at the drinking behavior of approximately 278,000 U.S. women aged 18 and older and 7,500 U.S. high school girls, and found that:

• 1 in 8 women and 1 in 5 high school girls report binge drinking;
• half of all high school girls who drink alcohol report binge drinking;
• drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 23,000 deaths among women and girls in the U.S. each year; and
• 14 million U.S. women binge drink three times a month and consume an average of six drinks per binge.

Click here to read the full story.

The Southern University System is celebrating 1 year since it passed the states first 100% tobacco-free policy. Check out this great Letter to the Editor from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living & Let’s Be Totally Clear grantee Linda Early Brown from the SUS Ag Center:

“

One year ago, Southern University became the first university system to pass a 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy. The tobacco-free policy, implemented on January 2, is effective on all five campuses. SU’s policy goes above and beyond by making the campus grounds and events completely tobacco-free inside and out, including prohibiting distribution, advertising or gifting of any such products.

The Communities of Color Network, in collaboration with the SU system and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), are excited about this opportunity for the students, faculty and staff statewide to begin working towards a healthier and tobacco-free lifestyle. We look forward to being an integral part in the implementation phase of the tobacco-free policy by continuing to educate staff, faculty members and students on the SU campus on the benefits of being tobacco-free.”

Click here to read the full article from the Louisiana Weekly.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), in partnership with the LSUHSC School of Public Health, recently compared teen tobacco rates to the national average in response to results from the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) that highlighted growing trends in tobacco use among African American youth and youth adults. The startling results showed that in Louisiana, high tobacco prevalence is not unique to African Americans. In fact, Louisiana’s teen tobacco rates remain higher than the national average, regardless of race.

In 2011, approximately 36 percent of African Americans and 39 percent of White high school students in Louisiana were tobacco users. These figures experience little change from 2009; this suggests persistently high consumption patterns for both racial groups. The only discernible difference in the data is between middle and high school students. A statistically significant increase in tobacco utilization is observed between middle and high school students regardless of race or type of tobacco product.

Click here to read the full release, learn more about TFL and see how you can get involved.

Click here to read the data brief with more details on Louisiana youth tobacco usage.

For more information about the DEFY program, click here.

A drink or two each week during pregnancy may not affect a child’s general intelligence at age 5, according to a new series of Danish studies. The research indicates that strict abstinence may not be necessary during early to mid pregnancy, but the researchers say their findings need to be investigated further. Mothers-to-be, they say, should continue to follow current guidelines that advise against any alcohol consumption.

To read more on this study, click here.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) recently launched its 2012 state-wide media campaign “_______ Stinks!” The campaign features an interactive concept targeted at creating a call-to-action for all Louisianans to advocate for stronger protections from secondhand smoke in bars and gaming facilities.

TFL also launched an updated www.LetsBeTotallyClear.org website, Twitter (@betotallyclear), and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/letsbetotallyclear) pages to assist supporters of the smoke-free movement across the state to get more involved and share what they think stinks about secondhand smoke. The updated Letsbetotallyclear.org website also boasts a comprehensive list of smoke-free venues, shows and events across the state.

Check out the full release here.

The City of New Orleans Health Department, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Health Commissioner Dr. Karen DeSalvo recently launched a guide to behavioral health resources available throughout the greater New Orleans area. The 32-page guide provides residents with information on mental health and substance abuse services and resources in the city.

The brochure can be accessed through the City’s website here.

Louisiana’s Southern University will become the state’s first college system to go completely smoke free beginning in January 2012. The school’s Board of Supervisors voted to ban any and all tobacco products from campus, making a bold move to promote healthy lifestyles for its students, faculty and staff. While no colleges in Louisiana allow smoking indoors, the new decision by Southern bans tobacco anywhere on the campus, including in parking lots.

To read the full story, click here.

The University of Wisconsin has released its second annual report ranking the health of all 64 Louisiana parishes, with St. Tammany parish ranked as the healthiest and East Carroll parish as the least healthy in the state. The report shows how multiple factors influence health, including smoking, obesity, binge drinking, teen pregnancy and more. The report also stresses the importance of community leaders and nontraditional partners coming together to improve the health of their residents and communities. View the report online at www.countyhealthrankings.org to see how Louisiana parishes compare to each another.

New research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and MetLife Foundation shows that many parents who don’t use e-mail or text messaging to communicate with their teens may be missing important opportunities to connect with their kids about drug and alcohol use. Experts say any time is a good one. Read the full story.