Ridding minority communities of smoking related issues was a key concern at a Thursday seminar at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The ninth annual Clearing the Air in Communities of Color conference was sponsored by the Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Organization (MISRGO) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Since 2003, the annual conference has raised awareness of the devastating effects that tobacco and tobacco-related product consumption can have in Arkansas, especially in minority communities, a spokesman said.
Thursday, guest speakers included Pine Bluff Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr.; Gustavo Torrez, program manager for the national network for LGBT Health Equity; and Rene Hicks, an award-winning stand-up comedian and tobacco control advocate.
“I am very happy, very proud to say that we are a smoke free community,” Redus said of a law passed in June 2005 that made Pine Bluff smoke free.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Redus also discussed the dangers of second-hand smoke on children, saying that children have developed respiratory problems and some have died due to exposure.
Torrez said he became an advocate for tobacco control 16 years ago. He is interested in helping this generation to live better, more prosperous lives. His intentions are to reach the community through social media.
During the youth session, teens listened to guest speakers and participated in social media challenges. Hicks told her story of surviving lung cancer.
The surprising thing about Hicks is she has never smoked, said spokeswoman for Clearing the Air Whitney Albert.
As a comedian, Hicks spent many nights in bars doing stand up comedy and as a result, developed lung cancer from second hand smoke, Albert said.
Outside of the conference room were many exhibits with information about the dangers of tobacco use.
According to MISRGO’s website, the organization has funded more than 50 Arkansas organizations and collected $7 million to put back into minority communities.
Thursday’s program was hosted by UAPB and funded by the Arkansas Department of Health. To find help to stop smoking, residents may call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.