‘National Kick Butts Day’ Targets Young LA Smokers To Kick The Yearly $321B Habit

NEW ORLEANS – The Smoking Cessation Trust finds tobacco costs the U.S. approximately $170 billion in health care expenditures and $151 billion in lost productivity each year. The United Health Foundation’s 2016 America’s Health Rankings® Report ranks Louisiana 43 out of 50 states (up three spots from 46th) for adult smokers.

         Today’s National Kick Butts Day will raise awareness to counteract the numerous messages targeting young smokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day in the United States more than 3,200 youth aged 18 years or younger smoke their first cigarette, and an additional 2,100 youth and young adults become daily cigarette smokers.

         Kick Butts Day was started in 1996 as a day of activism to empower youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. It is organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. More than 1,000 Kick Butts events will be hosted in schools and communities nationwide and globally today, including many across Louisiana. The Campaign aims to explain the dangers of cigarettes to this young, vulnerable audience.

- Sponsors -

         As more young people continue to embrace the “quit smoking” message, overall smoking rates continue to trend downwards throughout the United States including Louisiana the Smoking Cessation Trust reports.

         Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, imposing a terrible toll in health, lives and dollars on families, businesses and government, the Smoking Cessation Trust reports. Tobacco kills 480,000 people annually – more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.

         Through events like Kick Butts Day and other annual smoking-related observances, and in addition to its work with Louisiana health care providers and hospital systems, the Smoking Cessation Trust continues to share its quit message with smokers around the state that quitting now is one of the best things they can do for their health.

- Partner Content -

Sunni LeBeouf

Black History Month Spotlight This Black History Month, Cox Communications is proud to recognize Sunni LeBeouf for her prolific record of professional achievement, civic philanthropy,...

 

         For more information

 

Digital Sponsors / Become a Sponsor

Follow the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in New Orleans.

Email Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter