Data reveals decrease in Louisiana’s African-American smokers

Since the inception of the SU Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network in 2003, Louisiana has seen a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco use among African Americans. According to Tonia Moore, grants and contract coordinator with Louisiana Public Health Institute, Louisiana has witnessed a large volume of African-American callers to the Louisiana Quit Line in the last four years (approximately 31-37% of the callers are African Americans).  

“This speaks volumes to the number of Louisianans who are ready to kick the habit and improve their overall health,” said Moore. 

Although the numbers continue to decrease, African Americans in Louisiana are twice as likely as other races to die from tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. According to data from the 2007-2008 Adult Tobacco Survey, African-American nonsmokers are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at work than white non-smokers. African-American smokers are less likely to have smoke-free homes than white smokers.  According to the 2009 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey, 49% of African-American middle school smokers usually smoke menthol cigarettes and 64% of African-American high school smokers usually smoke menthol cigarettes.  African-American youth are much more likely to smoke Black & Mild cigars than white youth.  

“The data reflects the need to build awareness and implement community and organizational policies among African-American communities,” said Moore. 

What TI won't tell you

SU Ag Center and Communities of Color Network supporter Dr. Victor DeNoble candidly reveals how the tobacco industry targets African Americans for its poisonous cigarette sales. DeNoble is the famed whistleblower against the tobacco industry (TI). His lawsuit resulted in the industry being fined billions of dollars. View it at The Truth about Menthol. For more information on CoC Network, read www.suagcenter.com/communitiesofcolor.html

Communities of Color Network clears the smoke

Louisiana statistics indicate that students engage in the harmful practice of smoking at early ages. To combat this, the Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network continues its mission of reducing tobacco use, consumption, and second-hand smoke exposure among Louisiana’s African-American communities. The CoC Network builds solution-oriented coalitions and provides educational experiences to teach citizens about dangers of tobacco and the industry’s marketing strategies.

CoC staff actively participates in more than 14 coalitions statewide and are established many and with more coalitions on the horizon. Regional coordinator Latricia Dixon provided a general tobacco workshop to students at Jackson Middle School.  Dixon engaged the children in activities and allowed them opportunities to express concerns about tobacco in their environments.

Educational opportunities and interactive activities were provided in Avoyelles Parish where Shawntell Harrell, CoC Network regional coordinator, taught Bunkie Middle School students about the chemicals found in such products as cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco.

Paula Jordan, CoC Network regional coordinator, presented a tobacco basics workshop to patients of the Lydia Outreach Clinic, January 20.  Jordan provided the group with useful tips on how to keep their homes and kids tobacco-free. She also introduced the tobacco curriculum to Second Baptist Deliverance Church in Eunice, January 25.  It was the first of a series of workshops to encourage a 100% tobacco-free church, based on criteria and guidelines established by the Communities of Color Network.  The curriculum is customized to fit the needs of Second Baptist.  The importance of the workshop was further emphasized when the ministers correlated the message with a biblical passage for the parishioners.

Regional coordinator Eric Murphy utilized visual presentations to engage approximately 15 participants at the Adult Learning Center at Southern University, Shreveport, in interesting dialogue concerning the health risks associated with smoking.

Program director Linda Early Brown persistently encourages the citizens of Louisiana to seek opportunities to get their communities involved in the initiative provided by Communities of Color Network in tobacco education of Louisiana citizens. “Coalition and educational opportunities are available statewide,” said Brown. 

Researcher to disclose tobacco industry secrets, Feb. 3

Experimental psychologist Victor DeNoble, Ph.D., will present "What the Tobacco Industry Doesn't Want You to Know" Tuesday, February 3, at the Southern University Baton Rogue J.K. Haynes School of Nursing.

The 11 am forum is DeNoble's tell-all discussion on tobacco industry secrets. He has been a key witness in government hearings examining the practices of the tobacco industry. His testimony was an important part of the mounting evidence that damaged the tobacco industry's creditability and ultimately led to the multi-billion dollar tobacco settlement. This forum is free and open to the public, including middle and high school groups.

 

Sponsors: Southern University Ag Center Communities of Color Network, Southern University School of Nursing, Tobacco-Free Living, and Our Lady of the Lake College.

For more information, contact Linda Early Brown, linda_brown@suagcenter.com