Mission
The Arkansas Tobacco Education Initiative (ARTEI) was formed to improve the health status of all Arkansans by using evidence-based strategies through program initiatives, promotion of cessation services and recommendations of smoke free policies; to reduce the use of all tobacco products including, electronic nicotine delivery systems within Arkansas.
Goals
- Establish and maintain a robust statewide tobacco control coalition.
- Support and provide cessation resources for workplaces that are tobacco-free, smoke free, and prohibit electronic nicotine delivery systems.
- Assist local and state organizations in their efforts to promote tobacco-free communities, including electronic nicotine delivery systems and educate on the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in public places.
The American Lung Association in Arkansas Tobacco Education Initiative partners with the Arkansas Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program to strengthen Arkansas’s overall tobacco control efforts by engaging local stakeholders, local community leaders, and the public to reduce the burden of tobacco in Arkansas. Although ranked as 48th out of 51 in the nation for adult tobacco use, Arkansas is making definite headway in the fight against tobacco use. Smoking rates have decreased among adults from 2002 - 2018. Research shows reductions in adult smoking have lowered hospital admissions for diseases related to tobacco use, such as heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and bronchitis. Despite this progress, there are still many areas in need of improvement. ARTEI engages in community mobilization at the grassroots level to educate on the importance of not using tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, promoting cessation services; with the goal to reduce tobacco-related illness.
