Students and community leaders gather to ‘Kick Butts’ and spread awareness of youth smoking
Jul. 24, 2019
Student and community leaders gathered in Ruston today on a mission to kick butts — cigarette butts that is.
The Louisiana campaign for Tobacco Free-Living hosted an informational panel to bring education and awareness to the effects of tobacco and vaping, targeted at the youth.
On ‘Kick Butts Day’ youth and health advocates are calling for strong action to reverse the youth e-cigarrette epidemic.
Tobacco Free Living director Tonia Moore says that Louisiana’s numbers show there’s still much educating to be done.
“We still have a huge issue with youth smoking. In Louisiana we have middle school and high school rates that are above the national average. We’re also seeing an increase in vaping products and a new product we’re seeing called Juul,” said Moore.
State youth advocates are encouraging lawmakers to pass a smoke-free law that would make all work and public places smoke-free — protecting the right to breathe clean air.