The Rapides Foundation’s Healthy Behaviors Initiative addresses important health behaviors including tobacco use, overweight/obesity, and substance and alcohol abuse prevention. The work in tobacco prevention and control began in 2008 and consists of multi-faceted approaches designed to decrease tobacco use among adults and prevent young people from ever starting.

In 2014, a new strategy was added when the Foundation’s Cenla Medication Access Program partnered with the Smoking Cessation Trust to offer cessation counseling to eligible tobacco users from the nine parishes served by The Rapides Foundation. As a result of the partnership with the Smoking Cessation Trust, more than 300 Central Louisiana residents have been referred to CMAP, where they obtained free cessation counseling plus additional supports to help them quit. 

As of July 2022, the Smoking Cessation Trust no longer accepts new clients. CMAP will continue to provide cessation counseling and has expanded its eligibility guidelines to include all tobacco users that reside in CMAP's nine-parish service area.

To learn more about available cessation services, contact CMAP's Certified Tobacco Training Specialist at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 855-767-3027, or you can access free support and resouces 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Louisiana Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).