Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco – Free Living Hold Meeting

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco – Free Living held a statewide college meeting in the Mocha Room of Smith-Brown Memorial Union yesterday.
“This is the first time schools from Louisiana have come together for a meeting like this,” said Program Manager for the Louisiana TFL and Southern University alumnae Tonia Moore.
Representatives from Louisiana colleges like Louisiana State University, Tulane, Nicholls State and Southern were all in attendance.
Making colleges campuses nationwide tobacco free was the agenda for the meeting according to Moore.
The “Dirty Habits” campaign which according to Moore will be similar to the famous “Truth” anti-smoking commercials will have the TFL using popular sites like Myspace, Youtube and Facebook to present their message.
“It’s the 18 – 24 age group that tobacco companies market and with this campaign, we will help educate that same group,” said Moore.
The TFL has shown support for a smoke free Southern campus by awarding the nursing department $25,000 for prevention and control programs.
According to Regional Coordinator for the Louisiana TFL Greg David, the organization will be in attendance for the Southern vs. Alcorn game, passing out information and giving away fan-favors.
Chairmen of Psychology Murelle G. Harrison who was in attendance felt that it was a wonderful opportunity for the university to engage in activities that will promote health and wellness for students.
“Survey data from our campus shows about 10 percent of Southern students are chronic smokers,” said Harrison. ” This means that 600 students on campus might face the consequence of smoking such as lung cancer and other diseases.”
According to Harrison, the meeting also allowed the SU Counseling Center to get advice on how to confront the dangers of tobacco smoke due to their new focus this year on the issue, as well as, the continuation of their fight against unprotected sex , alcohol addiction and illegal drug use.
To coincide with the TFL’s event, the SU Counseling Center will be having many different activities in participation of the Alcohol Awareness week that will take place next week.