Handsel Art

Date: 7 June 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: J.R. Few at

(870) 427-1365 or email

Quit Smoking for Your Kids

Tobacco Free Marion County wants to remind dads, and all parental role models, to remember this Father's Day the important part they play in influencing children's risk of nicotine addiction and in protecting their own health so they can be there for their children.

This year, 360 Arkansas children will lose their fathers to a tobacco-caused disease according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

"Tobacco use hurts families in so many ways," says TFMC consultant Dr. James Wise. "Children from smoking families are twice as likely to become smokers themselves, suffer the health consequences of secondhand smoke, and risk of losing a loved one to tobacco. Becoming tobacco free is the most important decision you can make for yourself and the health of your family."

Exposure to cigarette smoke during childhood can result in illness and absenteeism, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and increased risk of heart disease and future cancers.

All dads, smokers and non-smokers alike, can celebrate Father's Day by talking to their kids about smoking, the difficulty of quitting, and taking simple precautions to avoid exposing their children to secondhand smoke. Arkansas tobacco users can take advantage of free intervention counseling at 1-866-NOW QUIT. Visit www.tobaccofreemc.com for more information.

TFMC Youth Liaison Sophia Wise is shown here with her parents James and Masae, and sister Sylvia with their dog KiKi. Sophia wants to encourage young people to always refuse tobacco before a nicotine addiction ruins Fathers’ Day when they have kids. 90% of tobacco users are addicted to nicotine before they are 18.

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