Just like across the rest of the country, smoking continues to be on the decline in Louisiana. In 2023, the latest year that data is available, less than 16% of Louisiana adults surveyed admitted that they smoke. That’s down almost eight points from a decade ago. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says it’s a sign that messaging about the dangers of smoking is working.
“We’re very excited to see that those numbers have decreased, and to see that all the work in tobacco control across the state,” Stipe said.
Stipe says, however, that while cigarette smoking is down, other tobacco use is on the rise – especially among younger people.
“We’ve also seen a large increase in youth and young adults between ages of 18 and 26 increasing their electronic cigarette use,” Stipe noted.
Stipe says other smoking alternatives, such as vaping, are also on the rise, so she says the outreach has to continue to evolve and to be aggressive.
“We kind of battle up against other different nicotine products that are getting people hooked because the industry is ever-changing and we have to adjust how we help people stay healthy,” Stipe said.
