The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program has launched a series of radio advertisements designed to inform residents of the health risks associated with secondhand smoke.
Bob Johannessen, DHH spokesperson, said the campaign is a non-confrontational, easy-going approach directed toward smokers. Radio advertisements focus on a smoker, who discusses his reluctancy to smoke around others in order to protect them from the health hazards of secondhand smoke.
“We understand smoking is addictive,” Johannessen said. “We just want people to be more responsible in their habits.”
The threat of secondhand smoke is a large problem that many residents are not aware of, Johannessen said.
Louisiana residents, in focus groups conducted by DHH, were vaguely aware of the health consequences related to the exposure of secondhand tobacco smoke. For many participants, secondhand smoke was nothing more than a “nuisance” that left unpleasant odors on clothes, in cars and in indoor environments.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently classified secondhand smoke as a “Class A” cancer-causing agent, which is the same classification given to asbestos.
Amy Copeland, a psychology assistant professor, said the effects of secondhand smoke are a result of the carbon monoxide released from the cigarette.
Children living in houses where people smoke can lead to asthma, respiratory problems and ear infections, Copeland said.
Students on both sides of the smoking issue know the health ramifications of secondhand smoke.
Vi Nguyen, a computer engineer freshman, said he smokes socially and takes into consideration the health of people who do not.
“If they don’t want to smoke I am not going to smoke in front of them,” Nguyen said.
Barrett Williams, a sociology senior, said he tries to avoid secondhand smoke when he is around smokers.
“I just deal with it when I am in a situation that calls for it,” Williams said. “But I prefer to not be around it if at all possible.”
The DHH said the advertisements are not designed to bash smokers.
“We want people to understand it’s the smoke that’s the enemy, not the smoker,” said David Hood, secretary of the DHH, in a DHH press release. “And we want this campaign to initiate a dialogue on this issue among state residents by providing them with the knowledge they need to form an educated opinion and make healthy decisions.”
Johannessen said DHH spent $250,000 for the project. The ads will run statewide until the end of the fall.
In addition to the radio advertisements, BreatheEasyBayou.com will provide information on secondhand smoke and the Louisiana Helpline, 1-800-LUNG-USA, provides information about how to quit using tobacco.