Father Alberto Joins the Stamp Out Smoking Celebrity Campaign - January 15th, 2008
LITTLE ROCK (Dec. 18, 2007) – Stamp Out Smoking (SOS), the media and public relations campaign for the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP), announced today Father Alberto Cutié will join other celebrities in the efforts to promote a healthy, tobacco-free life. The SOS celebrity campaign has enlisted high profile celebrities such as Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen, former Middleweight Boxing Champion Jermain Taylor and Nickelodeon star Lil’ JJ.
Father Alberto has the special privilege of entering millions of homes throughout several countries each day with his television and radio talk shows and newspaper advice columns. Father Alberto became the first Catholic priest to host a talk-show on secular television. “Padre Alberto” and “Cambia tu Vida con el Padre Alberto” became household words among Hispanics in the United States and Latin America.
Father Alberto is featured in a new public service announcement explaining the devastating results smoking has on smokers’ health, and the consequences secondhand smoke has on those around them. He also urges Hispanics in Arkansas to use the free and confidential cessation services offered at the SOS Quitline, 1-866-NOW-QUIT. At the Quitline, Spanish-speaking tobacco cessation specialists are available to help each person quit this unhealthy habit. During Fiscal Year 2006, 3,673 sought treatment at the SOS Quitline. The spot will launch next week on Hispanic television stations across Arkansas.
“Arkansas Hispanics should start taking advantage of the free services offered by the Department of Health,” says Rosa Pippin, Health Program Analyst from the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. “We understand living in a new country with a foreign language can be stressful, but smoking is not the solution to alleviate the stress. Let us help you take the burden of smoking off your shoulders.”
The Department of Health reports 95 Arkansans die each week from causes related to smoking, and approximately 550 people die every year from exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco use also affects the Hispanic community. Twenty-four percent of all Hispanics in Arkansas smoke, and 26 percent of all Hispanic middle and high school teens in Arkansas are smokers.
The celebrity campaign is an anti-tobacco program for the SOS media and public relations campaign. Other programs include campaigns that specifically target minority markets, prevention ads that target youth, and ads addressing secondhand smoke. Call 1-866-NOW-QUIT for a program to help you quit. For additional information on other anti-tobacco programs in your area, contact the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program office at (501) 280-4141 or visit stampoutsmoking.com.
