Stamp Out Smoking, the media and public relations campaign for the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, announced today the 2009 “Tobacco Tackle” essay contest.  This contest will give Arkansas students in grades 2-9 the opportunity to submit an essay about a “hero” in their lives who maintains a healthy and tobacco-free lifestyle.  “Tobacco Tackle” is an online contest in which students may submit their entries through the SOS Web site, stampoutsmoking.com, by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30.  Essays should include examples of the ways in which their “hero” practices and encourages a healthy and tobacco-free lifestyle.  All essays should be between 300 and 750 words.

The entries will be judged in three categories: grades 2-3, 4-6 and 7-9.  Winners will be announced by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 7.  The prizes for each category are:
Grades 2-3
First Place: Nintendo Wii
Second Place: Portable DVD Player
Third Place: Nintendo DS

Grades 4-6
First Place: Laptop Computer
Second Place: 120 GB iPod Classic
Third Place: 4 GB iPod Shuffle

Grades 7-9
First Place: Laptop Computer
Second Place: 8 GB iPod Touch
Third Place: 8 GB iPod Nano

Additionally, students may participate in the contest outside of the classroom by gathering more information through the contact number below, or by going to the SOS Web site for more details.
The “Tobacco Tackle” essay contest is a tobacco prevention activity for the SOS media and public relations campaign.  For more information on “Tobacco Tackle,” contact Luis Gonzalez at luis.gonzalez@cjrw.com or (501) 975-8322.  For additional information on other tobacco prevention programs in your area, contact the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program office at (501) 661-2953 or visit stampoutsmoking.com.

“I think being a teenager you have a bigger voice with youth rather than just adults,” said Josilyn.  “I got involved because I wanted to make a change in the youth atmosphere.  As a finalist for this award, it was an honor to collaborate with other youth advocates from across the nation.”

As a finalist, Josilyn traveled on an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a Youth Advocacy Symposium.  Student delegates visited with members of congress and thanked them for supporting the historic U. S. Federal Drug Administration passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Josilyn has been actively involved in YLI for three years.  YLI goals are in sync with Stamp Out Smoking’s overall objective of reducing youth access to tobacco and consumption of tobacco-related products.  YLI efforts include recruitment and peer-to-peer training through Team YES Speaks regional summits.  Josilyn and the YLI work closely with Katherine Donald, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas, to conduct committee presentations and letter writing campaigns for smoke-free parks, smoke-free vehicle legislation and cigarette tax increases.  During the Arkansas Say Yes Leadership Conference, Josilyn was awarded the 2008-2009 Tobacco Control Youth Board Youth Advocate of the Year Award and First Place Poster Session Award.  She also received these prestigious awards and stipends for 2007-2008 grant year.

For more information on Arkansas’ youth advocacy efforts, visit www.yesteam.org.

To support its new policy, UALR held Cessation Days in August to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, rid the campus of cigarette butts and enroll tobacco users in a program to quit.  The cessation celebration week included games, giveaways and distribution of educational materials to help students and faculty recognize the campus is now smoke free.

The Cessation Days events produced enrollment in various cessation programs: five people signed up for UALR cessation classes; four people registered for quit coaching through the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline; and two people completed a fax referral form to receive treatment at a later time.  UALR offers on-site as well as online quitting classes.  Although the classes are not for school credit, they offer education and group support to help tobacco users quit.

The statewide law, which will take effect in August, makes it illegal for anyone to smoke on a state-funded college campus.  Violators could face fines from $100 to $500.  To quit tobacco through the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free motivational counseling and free medications while supplies last.

Staff from the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP) and Office of Oral Health (OOR) are in the process of developing a partnership with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs Program (HOFNOD).  This partnership will reach students in many of Arkansas’ rural communities to encourage them to never start smoking or using smokeless tobacco products.  The HOFNOD program promotes fishing as a lifelong activity for students as an alternative to harmful behaviors.

HOFNOD is a national fishing promotion effort of the Future Fisherman Foundation of Alexandria, VA.  It began in Arkansas in 1997 as a joint effort between the Governor’s Office, AGFC and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE).  HOFNOD is school-based and targets children in kindergarten through the 12th grade.  It promotes fishing as a lifelong activity that students can share with family and friends. With fishing as a focus, students can avoid drug use and other harmful behaviors.

The HOFNOD program is implemented through fishing clubs run by teachers.  HOFNOD staff provide educational curriculum, training, technical assistance and support to ensure that the fishing clubs are running efficiently.  Currently, HOFNOD has clubs in 100 schools throughout Arkansas with memberships ranging between 30 and 700.  In 2010, the program expects to reach 15,000 youth, many of whom reside in rural areas.

For TPCP and OOR, a partnership with HOFNOD will be a key strategy for educating youth about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.  According to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System, Arkansas ranks third in the use of smokeless tobacco (5 percent), outranked only by Wyoming (7.2 percent) and West Virginia (5.9 percent).

Through the HOFNOD partnership, TPCP and OOR will provide an educational toolkit to teachers in 100 schools.  Materials will include a fact sheet detailing the dangers of smokeless tobacco, brochures, posters, pledge forms, give-aways and other materials.  The project will also partner to provide an intensive workshop to AGFC wild life officers, many of whom host events in rural Arkansas.  Educational materials will be given away during these events.  To learn more about the partnership or how you can get involved, contact Miriam Karanja at miriam.karanja@arkansas.gov.

Patricia G. Edwards, RN, COHN-S
Associate Director
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program
Arkansas Department of Health

Patricia brings over 30 years of healthcare management experience to the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. In addition to long tenures with Eastman Kodak and L’Oreal, Patricia has worked in acute care hospital management, nursing education, and has held contract positions for local community, schools, and behavioral health services. Most recently she served as Director of Nursing for Travel Nurse across America.  Patricia is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist.  She holds a BS in Organizational Management.

Patricia not only promotes health and wellness, but practices her passion by being active in many outdoor sporting activities such as golfing, cycling and hiking.

Retha Davis
Administrative Specialist
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program
Arkansas Department of Health

Retha Davis joins Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program with twelve years of state insurance regulatory background.  While with the Arkansas Insurance Department she worked directly with Consumer Services investigating complaints filed and educating consumers regarding insurance rules and regulations.   She also served with the Arkansas Disaster Team during the devastating Florida hurricanes. During her service there, Retha received a Certificate of Appreciation for her dedications to our sister states.

During off hours Retha is very active with her grandchildren.  She volunteers in their schools, supports the boys’ baseball teams, and follows the girl’s cheerleading, gymnastic & swimming events.   She very much enjoys the outdoors and just spending time with her children.

Geray Pickle
Administrative Analyst, Accounting
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program
Arkansas Department of Health

Geray is joining the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program from the Health Disease and Stroke Section of Chronic Disease Branch. Geray has a BBA Degree from Harding University and brings experience in both business management and auditing.

In her free time, Geray loves to shop, entertain friends and family, and travel.

Miriam Karanja
Health Program Analyst, Smokeless Tobacco
Arkansas Department of Health
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program

Prior to settling in the United States, Miriam worked in Kenya as a brand manager for multi-national consumer products giant Unilever, managing brands in different divisions including detergents, edible fats and skin care.

In 1999, Miriam completed an MBA in Economic Development from Eastern University in Pennsylvania and relocated to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to head Southern Good Faith Fund’s Business Development (SGFFBDC). She served as program director for the SGFFBDC until August 2008, when she returned to her native Kenya for a six-month hiatus.

In her spare time she enjoys the wonderful Arkansas weather, traveling, making friends and spending time with her son.

Jessica K. Ellis
Section Chief, Health Communications/Cessation Interventions
Arkansas Department of Health
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program

Jessica joins the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she served as Assistant Administrator for a center within the Department of Pediatrics.  Jessica collectively has over 10 years of healthcare experience.  Jessica holds an MBA and is finalizing her thesis for completion of her Master of Health Communication degree.

Jessica also serves as an adjunct business instructor for a local college and in her spare time enjoys mentoring youth and live jazz music.

Dr. Paul Halverson, director of the ADH and State Health Officer said, “We are encouraged by these results.  Overcoming tobacco addiction is one of the hardest things anyone can do—especially for adults that have been smoking for a long time.  We applaud these Arkansans who have beaten addiction and celebrate with them as they lead healthier lives. However, we still have more work to do as we have many Arkansans that would benefit from a tobacco-free lifestyle.”

“This news is also good for Arkansas’s economic health,” Governor Mike Beebe said. “When fewer people smoke, we have healthier employees, healthier families and less demand for health-care services.  It all adds up to a healthier workforce, which will help us in our efforts to attract new business and industry to Arkansas.”

The ADH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP) funded through the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, works to reduce tobacco use in Arkansas.  Through community and school prevention programs, a media and public relations campaign known as Stamp Out Smoking, and cessation services for tobacco users looking to quit, TPCP continues to see the positive effects of its efforts.

“It’s rewarding to see our hard work pay off with the release of these new numbers,” said Dr. Carolyn Dresler, ADH Director of the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, “It takes all of our partners working together to achieve these kinds of results, and through youth prevention efforts, quitting services like the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline and policy changes like the tobacco tax, we feel confident tobacco use in Arkansas will continue to decline.”

Arkansas has made significant strides over the past year to provide more services for tobacco users who want to quit, and Arkansans have overwhelmingly responded.  Since 2008 the toll-free Arkansas Tobacco Quitline has received more than 24,000 calls.  The Quitline, found at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, now offers free motivational coaching with a QuitCoach by phone or online and free medications while supplies last.

Alberta Faye Powell quit smoking on October 20, 2008 with the help of the Quitline.  She said that she was successful because of the combination of the nicotine patches, coaching and “having the attitude that you are ready to quit.”  She said the coaches provided assistance in a professional manner and assured her that it was okay to be honest if she failed and to start again.

While helping tobacco users quit smoking provides maximum benefits for the state and the individual, it is equally as important to ensure youth never start.  Arkansas has been successful in continuing a decline in youth smoking despite national statistics remaining stagnant.  In Arkansas, youth smoking has decreased from 34.7 percent in 2001 to 20.7 percent in 2007.

A decline in tobacco use in the state benefits all Arkansans.  It means lower health care costs due to smoking-related illness, less exposure to secondhand smoke and longer life expectancy resulting in more time with loved ones.  Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.  Since the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program began in 2002, the number of hospital admissions in Arkansas for heart attack, stroke, chronic bronchitis and emphysema has declined progressively each year resulting in substantial savings in healthcare costs.

For more information on SOS programs or how you can get involved in helping Arkansas become a healthier state, visit stampoutsmoking.com.  To quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).