John Bel Edwards on Families & Children

Help families by closing our deplorable gender pay gap

Reasonable accommodations for health of mom and baby

Ban flavorings in e-cigarettes that target teens

Eddie RISPONE: I think that's like cigarettes in general, we should put the warning on those. [But no] executive order to do away with them.

Gov. EDWARDS: Well, the first thing we would do is sit down with the Secretary of Health look and see what the facts are. I am growing in my concern. It seems like every single day, they're more reported cases of young people who after only a short period of time of smoking these e-cigarettes, and the vaping, they're developing very serious, irreversible lung damage. So I have heard the President say that he is looking at banning the flavoring of the cigarettes, and I happen to think that that's probably a smart thing to do. I think that's why children are attracted in the first place. We will take action on it one way or another, to limit these e-cigarettes, especially the flavoring of it, in the legislative session coming up next year.

People believe e-cigarettes are safer, but they're not

Eddie RISPONE: I'd do everything I could to discourage you from using e-cigarettes just like regular cigarettes; both of them are very harmful to their health.

Gov. John Bel EDWARDS: We know e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, I believe that smoking is harmful to your health. I don't believe that e-cigarettes are healthier--they're not a healthier alternative. And so I will do everything that I can to try to convince my children but also anyone out there to not smoke. And part of the problem is many people believe it is a safer alternative, when in fact it is not. And certainly the flavorings lend themselves to children being attractive, but I would tell them, please not to do that.

Rep. Ralph ABRAHAM: Look, an optic is worth 1000 words literally. I would show them a lung that has been damaged by e-cigarettes. I've seen them and it's impressive.

Family Services placed 735 kids in foster homes despite cuts

Catholic upbringing shapes commitments to community & family

John Bel is married to his high-school sweetheart. The Edwards family attends St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite.

Husband, father, public servant, veteran, man of religion, small businessman Edwards will put Louisiana families and Louisiana workers first.