Tobacco Prevention & Cessation

The Coalition for a Healthier Arkansas Today (CHART), coordinated and led by ACHI, designed an integrated program to combat illnesses and prevent diseases related to tobacco use.  Passed as the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000, the program currently supports tobacco control and cessation activities, expanded Medicaid services - including the ARHealthNet waiver program, research in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, and initiated specific health programs targeting state needs (formation of UAMS College of Public Health, expanded services in the Minority Health Commission, a new Delta Area Health Education Center, and support to sustain the Arkansas Aging Initiative).  In addition, moneys from the tobacco settlement provided core funding for the Arkansas Healthy Century Trust Fund. 

Tobacco Settlement Commission

ACHI has provided technical assistance to the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, developing start-up, short-term, and long-term performance indicators for programs funded through the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act.  Initially, ACHI supported the Commission by providing content expertise in monitoring performance indicators, consultation to an independent evaluator, guidance in recommending program modifications, and assessments of impact of legislative activity on reducing tobacco consumption in the state.  ACHI continues to monitor activities and provide consultation upon request. Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission

Clean Indoor Air Act

During the 2006 special legislative session, ACHI worked with a broad coalition of stakeholders to educate legislators, community leaders, and policy makers about the dangers of second-hand smoke, leading to the passage of Act 8 and Act 13 of 2006 (The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Acts).  ACHI then assisted the Governor's office in developing and evaluating strategies to implement the new law.

Step-Up Coalition

During August 2006, in anticipation of the 86th Arkansas General Assembly, ACHI was instrumental in starting the Step-Up Coalition consisting of 30 health and other organizations interested in advancing further policies to stop tobacco use.  The coalition's primary focus is to secure an increase in the tobacco excise tax, an evidence based strategy that reduces reduces tobacco use particularly among youth. The Coalition was successful in organizing traditional and non-traditional partners and garnered substantial support within the legislature.  While the 2007 legislative effort was unsuccessful, Coalition members are confident that a second attempt to raise tobacco excise taxes during the 2009 Session will be successful due to the level of legislative interest, public discourse and positive media that this debate generated.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Thompson JW, Ryan KW, Tyson S, Munir C.  Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000:  Results from Education and Engagement with Policy Makers and the Public.  Health Promotion Practice Supplement to July 2004;5(3)57S-63S

Thompson JW, Boozman FW, Tyson S, Ryan KW, McCarthy S, Scott R, Smith GR.  Improving Health with Tobacco Dollars from the MSA:  The Arkansas Experience.  Health Affairs (Millwood) 2004;23(1):177-185