According to a recent CDC report, the percentage of people who smoke remained essentially unchanged from 2010 to 2011, but over time the prevalence of heavy smoking declined significantly.

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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.”

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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:

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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.

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.

Tobacco Industry Interference was selected as this year’s theme for The World Health Organization (WHO) World No Tobacco Day, which is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects.

For more information, click here.

Leading international tobacco company, Philip Morris International (PMI) is hosting its annual shareholder meeting in New York City this week. A group of advocates from across the county will be at the meeting asking Philip Morris to “Butt Out” of public health and tobacco control efforts around the world as they request a moment of silence to remember all those who have died due to a tobacco-related illness. Show your support for the effort by changing your facebook profile picture to the icon attached and click here to ask PMI to butt out of tobacco control efforts.

Robert Lustig, MD, a leading expert on childhood obesity at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), is quickly gaining recognition for his recent lecture on sugar in the Western diet. Dr. Lustig argues that too much fructose may be one of the cornerstones of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. Read more about why Lustig believes sugar should be viewed similarly to cigarettes and alcohol than a common childhood treat, or watch his video lecture on Youtube.

Louisiana took hard hitting to a new level with its latest smoking cessation billboard campaign that features images of severe gum disease and a suffering patient with a tracheotomy tube. Developed in partnership with the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI), the new campaign funded by the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program launches on the heels of a soon-to-be implemented federal policy that will require cigarette packages to carry textual warning statements and graphic images depicting the negative health consequences of smoking. Read why the use of graphic images have proved to be effective in influencing smokers’ intentions to quit. If you or someone you know is a tobacco user who is looking to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.QuitWithUsLa.org for help.

As part of a broader strategy that will help tobacco users quit and prevent children from starting smoking, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control strategy that includes proposed new bolder health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. This strategy includes a proposal issued by the FDA titled Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements. The proposal is part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that calls for cigarette packages and advertisements to carry nine larger and more noticeable warning statements and graphic images depicting the negative health consequences of smoking. The public now has the opportunity to comment on 36 proposed images through January 9, 2011. View all 36 images and get instructions on how to provide feedback.