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Master Settlement Agreement
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
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