Handsel Art

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 8 May 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: J.R. Few at

(870) 427-1365 or email

Maternal Smoking Targeted

When 2006 data was released by the Arkansas Department of Health showing Marion County with the highest smoking during pregnancy rate in the state, Tobacco Free Marion County’s Julie Andersen was not pleased.

“This was unacceptable, “she opined. “Exposure to tobacco during pregnancy and infancy puts the most vulnerable at the greatest risk.”

The adult smoking rate for Marion County had fallen dramatically since 2001; from 31.9% to 20.3%. But changes in ADH funding for tobacco prevention left the county without a dedicated tobacco prevention school curriculum. In addition, there is no practicing Ob-Gyn in Marion County. “Having a medical professional advise that nicotine addiction is a medically treatable condition, and not merely a habit, is one of the most effective aids to successful quitting,” Andersen adds.

Fortunately, Christy Halliday, the ADH Mothers and Infants Program Nurse for the area was all in favor of a partnership. TFMC was successful in getting funding from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission for a youth media outreach to approach the issue and provided Halliday with educational materials and a portable DVD player to share cessation videos with her often isolated clients. Says Halliday, “Too often my clients didn’t think about becoming mothers when they started smoking. This puts the whole family at risk.”

By combining these tools with the UAMS fax back referral system, TFMC hopes to positively impact maternal smoking. UAMS provides free tobacco cessation counseling from trained interventionists to all Arkansas residents.

“The materials have been a great resource! They are honest and straightforward. The fax back referral program has been nice to have, as well, because you aren't just saying to someone ‘you need to quit’ and walking off. You are showing them that you care about them and that you are following through,” adds Halliday.

Arkansas Department of Health Mothers and Infants Program Nurse Christy Halliday displays the You Can Quit! DVD she shares with her clients. “I like that I actually have specific materials now relevant to the pregnant female!”