The Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff recently hosted the 14th annual “Clearing the Air in Communities of Color” Conference.
The conference focused on policy reform that reduces smoke exposure to youth and young adults.
“Creating impactful and progressive policies is a key factor in reducing tobacco prevalence in the state,” Marian Lothery, project coordinator for MISRGO, said in a news release. “We are here to make a substantial change in the health of the next generation.”
This year’s conference included influential leaders focused on tobacco prevention and cessation reform discussing the mandatory smoke-free housing policy enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the passage of a local T-21 ordinance, which raises the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21.
“A smoke-free community is a healthier community,” said Keisha Grigsby, community advocate of the Family and Youth Enrichment Network at Helena. “Helena is the first southern city to pass T-21 and we believe it will increase the overall well-being of our citizens.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
MISRGO at UAPB was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement.
“The office is responsible for addressing the devastating effects of tobacco consumption within Arkansas’ minority communities by preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth, promoting cessation among youth and adults, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifying and eliminating disparities of tobacco use among different population groups,” according to a news release.
Details: Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office, visit www.misrgo.org or call 870-575-8923.