Tanner Wakefield and I just released our long-awaited “state report” on tobacco policymaking in Louisiana, Blowing Smoke Out of the Bayou: The Battle for Tobacco Control in Louisiana. This report covers Louisiana’s rich history of battling the tobacco industry in the half-century since the 1970s.
This is, by far, the longest state report we have ever published, which reflects the fact that every possible tobacco control policy has been the subject of vigorous debate – and progress – in Louisiana. In most states, a few issues – smokefree laws, taxes, tort reform, and others – are the central focus. Louisiana had them all. This research also benefitted from many internal tobacco industry documents that allowed us to dig into the behind-the-scenes activities of the industry and its allies.
Here is the Executive Summary:
• Louisiana consistently ranks nearly last for health and smoking in the United States.
• As of 2018, Louisiana had above average smoking prevalence for adults (20.5%) and youth (13.5% of high school and 3.8% for middle school students) in the United States (44th for adults).
• The tobacco industry dominated Louisiana tobacco control policymaking during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
