There is a new campaign  aimed at increasing support for smoke-free policies in Louisiana…and it truly STINKS, pew…

The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) recently launched its 2012 state-wide media campaign “_______ Stinks!” The campaign features an interactive concept targeted at creating a call-to-action for all Louisianans to advocate for stronger protections from secondhand smoke in bars and gaming facilities.

Smoking is not a game, which is exactly what the two organizations are hoping to filter to the public.

“With the new “_____ Stinks!” campaign, TFL hopes to better engage the public in the fight against secondhand smoke exposure across Louisiana,” said Tonia Moore, Associate Director of TFL. “With their help, we’ll build a broader community of collaboration and continue along the trajectory of support for healthier, smoke-free environments for all Louisianans where they live, work, and play.”

TFL conducted formative research in the early stages of developing this year’s campaign. Through this research, TFL identified the following key insights:

Respondents identified the “nuisance” or “annoyance” of secondhand smoke as a top of mind association to the issue.

• Key target audiences, “passive” and “active” supporters were identified. These individuals are more likely to take some form of action to support the smoke-free movement in Louisiana.
• The negative health effects of secondhand smoke were cited as the most compelling reasons for extending the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act (Act 815) to bars and gaming facilities.
• Statewide messaging should position the intent of smoke-free policies within the context of a broader concern and protection for the health of all Louisianans.
• Several key advocacy actions were identified that respondents would be willing to undertake in support of the initiative.

As a result, the new “_______ Stinks!” campaign was developed for this year’s statewide media campaign. The campaign addresses key points found in the formative research efforts by broadening TFL’s recent focus on just bar and gaming facility employees, and instead, seeks to create more urgency about secondhand smoking exposure among all Louisianans by connecting near-term inconveniences associated with secondhand smoke (smelly hair, smelly clothes) to long term health consequences (lung cancer, heart disease).

In addition to the launch of the new statewide media campaign, an updated www.LetsBeTotallyClear.org website, Twitter (@betotallyclear), and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/letsbetotallyclear) pages have been launched to assist supporters of the smoke-free movement across the state to get more involved and share what they think stinks about secondhand smoke. The updated Letsbetotallyclear.org website also boasts a comprehensive list of smoke-free venues, shows and events across the state.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) provides statewide coordination of existing tobacco control initiatives, funding innovative community programs for tobacco control, offering services for people who are ready to quit and developing statewide media campaigns to help reduce the excessive burden of tobacco use on the state’s resources and improve the overall health and quality of life in Louisiana. Here’s how you can find out more about the dangers of secondhand smoke and to show your support for a 100-percent smoke-free Louisiana, by visiting www.letsbetotallyclear.org.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute’s mission is to promote and improve the health and quality of life in Louisiana through public-private partnering at the community, parish and state levels  to develop community-oriented solutions that improve the health of the Louisiana population. For more information, visit www.lphi.org.

by Stephen Sabludowsky, Publisher of Bayoubuzz.com