Congratulations to the Town of Ball for passing a smoke-free ordinance
Jul. 19, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Valerie Huntley
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL)
Phone: (504) 338-8566
Email: vhuntley@lphi.org
The Town of Ball becomes the 35th Smoke-Free Municipality in Louisiana
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living celebrates the Town of Ball
BALL, LA – The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) is excited to announce that the Town of Ball has become the 35th Louisiana municipality to adopt a comprehensive smoke[JC1] -free indoor ordinance. This is a huge win not only for the goal and mission of TFL, to create a healthy state, but also it is a win for the community of Ball where now all residents and visitors can go anywhere in the town and enjoy themselves without the dangers of having to breathe in secondhand smoke.
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Town of Ball’s Town Council unanimously voted to implement a smoke-free ordinance, solidifying the town's commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its residents. TFL Regional Manager Mitzi LaSalle collaborated with the community and consistently provided extensive education, which helped the members of City Council make an informed decision about being smoke-free.[JC2]
The Town of Ball marks the 35th city in Louisiana that has decided to adopt a smoke-free ordinance. It is also the 9th municipality in Rapides Parish to embrace the smoke-free lifestyle, moving the Parish one municipality closer to being smoke-free.[JC3] [JC4]
Ball is the third largest municipality in Rapides Parish and is in the central part of Louisiana, 141 miles northwest of Baton Rouge and 219 miles from New Orleans. Ball has a total population of approximately 4,000. The town is a treasure trove of historical places that provide a glimpse into its fascinating past, including the Ball Walking Trail/Memorial Park, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. This year, Ball kicked off the inaugural Moon Pie Festival with plenty of Moon Pies and RC Cola to wash it all down.
The ordinance went into effect July 18, 2024. The entire TFL team congratulates Mayor Gail Wilking and the Town Council for putting the residents of Ball first.
“The Town of Ball is proud to have passed the smoke-free ordinance and join the other 34 municipalities in Louisiana who have made the health of their communities and residents’ top priority,” says Mayor Gail Wilking. “In the Town of Ball, we are a small community, and it is made up of our neighbors and friends, and the town council unanimously voted for this ordinance because we knew it was the right thing to do to protect the longevity of Ball for now and the future.”
The smoke-free measure ensures all residents are protected from the dangerous health effects of secondhand smoke. Here are the facts:
- Secondhand smoke is dangerous because it contains over 7,000 chemicals, with hundreds being toxic and about 70 causing cancer.
- After only 20 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke indoors, people experience an increased likelihood of heart attack or stroke.
- Only 30% of Louisiana residents are protected from secondhand smoke.
- 27% of Louisiana adults use tobacco products.
“I am elated [JC5] that the community of Ball chose to usher in a new smoke-free way of life,” says Mitzi LaSalle, TFL Regional Manager, Region 6. “The Town of Ball saw the vision of passing an ordinance that will allow their community to breathe clean air, free of secondhand smoke, and this is important for protecting its residents. I commend Mayor Wilking and the Town Council for its forward thinking.”
Half of American adults have been unknowingly exposed to toxic secondhand smoke. This exposure poses serious health risks, including an increased likelihood of chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, respiratory issues, and cancers. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, even low-level exposure can have detrimental effects on health.
Today, the Town of Ball decided to put a smoke-free ordinance in place that progressively paves the way for a community where the air is clear and free of smoke, especially in the places we work and play, which creates a more positive and pleasant experience for all.
“This brings us one step closer to becoming a healthy state where we can all breathe clean air, says Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, Senior Director - Tobacco Control & Prevention, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living (TFL and Director - Louisiana Cancer Research Center Office of Community Outreach of Engagement (COE). “We are proud of the hard work of our TFL Regional Managers, forming these vital relationships in our communities. We know that change only happens when we are consistently educating our communities about the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping products and creating ongoing awareness about what they can do to make a meaningful change in themselves and their communities.”
The positive impact of smoke-free indoor environments is quality of life – which includes healthy living and economic growth. The town of Ball has chosen this way of life - - a way of life that promotes smoke-free environments and contributes to the ongoing efforts to protect everyone from the silent threat of secondhand smoke.
For more information on the growing movement to protect all Louisiana employees from secondhand smoke, visit www.HealthierAirForAll.org.
Individuals interested in quitting tobacco products can visit www.QuitWithUsLa.org or call 1-800-Quit-Now.
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The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), a program of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center and the Louisiana Public Health Institute, engages in local and statewide tobacco control policy efforts that focus on tobacco prevention and initiation among youth, eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke, promote cessation services, and identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities. TFL is guided by best practices in tobacco control as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, effective and promising practices of tobacco control programs in effect nationwide, and from the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (e.g., National Institute of Cancer’s Scientific Priorities). For more information visit www.tobaccofreeliving.org. To find out more about the dangers of secondhand smoke and show your support for a smoke-free Louisiana, visit www.healthierairforall.org. To learn more about quitting tobacco, visit www.quitwithusla.org.
[JC1]Add “comprehensive” and “indoor”
[JC2]“Resulted in” concerns me because it may seem like lobbying instead of education.
[JC3]There is a nuance because there is one municipality left but the Parish government also has a jurisdiction that has not been approached which encompasses those areas not incorporated.
[JC4]We made need to say incorporated municipalities or something.
[JC5]See change suggestion