PART III. PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING

SMOKING CESSATION

§1295.1. Legislative findings; purpose

            A. The legislature hereby finds and declares the following:

            (1) Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in our state and nation.

            (2) Though smoking-related illnesses and deaths and their associated human and economic costs are a devastating public health problem across the United States, and billions of dollars from sources such as cigarette taxes and tobacco-related legal settlements are available to states for preventing and controlling tobacco use, only a fraction of these funds is put to this public health service, and state spending on tobacco prevention and control falls below CDC recommended levels.

            (3) Though smoking is an exceptionally difficult habit to break due to the powerful nature of addiction to cigarettes, many thousands of Americans win the battle to quit smoking each year, often with the help of a smoking cessation program.

            B. The purpose of this Part is to increase awareness of and access to smoking cessation programs and services available in Louisiana.

            Acts 2015, No. 55, §§1, 2, eff. June 5, 2015.