The NEW Minority Research Center on Tobacco and Addictions is Now Open!

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, MISRGO, and the Master of Science in Addiction Studies Program are all excited to announce the creation of the Minority Research Center on Tobacco and Addictions (MRC)!

The center’s vision is to improve the health of Arkansans, particularly the minority population, through the radical reduction in the use of tobacco and other substances.  MRC will act to provide assistance to the state and nation in tobacco and other substance abuse research, prevention, education, technical assistance and evaluation, especially in regard to minority populations (Blacks, Hispanics, Marshall Islanders, and Asians).  Essentially, it will act as a clearing house for all research in Arkansas about tobacco use in minority communities.

The MRC is located on campus at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. To learn more about the Minority Research Center on Tobacco and Addictions call us at 870-575-3923.

UAMS Mid-South Black Expo

In recognition of Black History Month, your MISRGO team participated again in the 2nd Annual UAMS Mid South Black Expo on February 23rd at 10 am at the Metroplex in Little Rock.  MISRGO provided educational information, on-site direct access to the Quit Line and helped attendees “Stamp Out Smoking.”  A total of six fax-back referral forms were secured and three people that were ready to quit called the Arkansas Quit Line on site!

The Impact of Cigar/Cigarillo Products on Minority Communities

We all well know that the tobacco industry spends millions of dollars in Arkansas marketing new addictive products.  Cigar/cigarillo products are quickly becoming an issue for minority communities.  Despite an FDA ban on flavored cigarettes, the tobacco industry continues to target young adults with products that taste like candy and smell like fruit.  These products are becoming popular amongst African Americans and Latinos, especially our young people.  The CDC reports that consumption of cigars and cigarillos has increased by more than 150% since 2007.  MISRGO and our work with the community is the key component in mitigating cigar and cigarillo use in minority communities.  We must continue to increase awareness of the issues, engage in the policy progress regarding cigar products and promote cessation efforts.  Through social planning, awareness efforts, and community organization change can be implemented within our communities in Arkansas that have been devastated by tobacco use.  This is exactly what you MISRGO team, our sub-grantees and community members are doing and it’s working!  Thanks to our efforts we have seen a decline in tobacco (particularly smokeless tobacco) use in the minority community.

Highlights from 1st Quarter 2012 – 2013

The 1st quarter of this fiscal year kicked off with the execution of a series of community-based events and activities. The Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office and Addiction Studies Program at UAPB leveraged numerous opportunities to speak directly to the target audience via mediums they most often frequent and attend. We’re off to a great start!

Ronnie Brewer Weekend

July 13th – 14th - In FY12, the UAPB/SOS team secured a partnership with Ronnie Brewer, former Arkansas Razorback and Chicago Bull, now New York Knicks player, as a spokesperson for MISRGO’s anti-tobacco outreach efforts. Through this partnership, MISRGO served as a sponsor for the Ronnie Brewer Foundation Weekend benefitting northwest Arkansas Boys’ and Girls’ clubs. The annual event, held in Fayetteville, AR, serves as an opportunity to give back to the local community and encourage healthy habits and physical activity among youth. The UAPB/SOS team educated the Fayetteville/Springdale community of UAPB’s Addiction Studies graduate program, tobacco cessation and prevention programming and grant funding from the Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office.  A series of notable part-ners/sponsors participated alongside the UAPB/SOS team including:

1. Nickelodeon
2. Staybridge Suites 
3. GMC Superior Automotive Group 
4. Dynasty Transportation
5. And more! 

Additionally, the event was hosted by NBA champion and wellness advocate, John Salley.

July 28th - The 1st quarter also allowed the MISRGO team to participate in a new event – the First Annual Back to School Kids Fair. The Fair included free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts, immunizations, and physical examinations. It was an opportunity for the entire family and kids of all ages to enjoy games, face painting, jump zones, a balloon artist, vendors and much more!

For MISRGO, the Kids Fair was an avenue to educate parents and youth about Act 811 and the overall benefits of tobacco prevention and cessation with the help of two MISRGO sub-grantees (Women’s Council on African American Affairs and We Care of Pulaski County) and Arkansas State Trooper, Wanda James.

Kid's Fair

MISRGO served as a sponsor to the “Parent Corner” and had exclusivity for health-related communications. A total of 2,500 kids were served! The approximate ethnic breakdown of attendees was 5% Caucasian; 6% Hispanic; and 89% African American. MISRGO received a total of 14 fax back referral forms. Additionally, 21 people decided to live healthier, smoke-free lives for themselves and their loved ones by calling the Quit Line while on site at the Fair.

August 31st - MISRGO participated in the Delta Classic 4 Literacy “Old Skool” Concert once again this year. The event took place Friday, August 31st at the Statehouse Convention Center as part of the weekend-long activity line-up in support of the annual Delta Classic 4 Literacy football game. The Delta Classic 4 Literacy was designed to raise awareness about literacy improvement needs in the Delta region and raise money to fund literacy programs. Since 2006, $55,000 from the Delta Classic 4 Literacy has been donated to Arkansas Literacy Councils.

MISRGO served as a sponsor for this concert. This year’s concert attracted approximately 3,100 R&B music lovers from across the State of Arkansas.

Latino Leadership Networking Reception

September 13th – In support of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas’ (CTFA) 10th Annual Striking Out Tobacco in Arkansas Conference, MISRGO assisted in the execution of the “Latino Leadership Networking Reception.” The reception took place directly following the Conference and attracted more than 40 public health advocates and anti-tobacco warriors across Arkansas’ Hispanic communities. MISRGO provided strategic event coordination and Public Relations support for this reception along with Maura Yancy of Hola! Arkansas.

Evergreen Baptist Church Tobacco Awareness Program Hosts Tobacco Education Event

Evergreen Baptist Church

The Evergreen Baptist Church Tobacco Awareness Program (EGBCTAP), in El Dorado, AR, presented their third “Think Like a Woman… Act Like a Lady” event.  Earlene Burns and Brenda Hegwood  joined forces with EGBCTAP to present an eventful conference with pledges taken to quit smoking; disallow smoking in cars and homes; and consider training for the 40 Days to Freedom classes.

Anti-Tobacco Advocates Gather for 10th Annual Striking Out Tobacco Conference

Striking Out Tobacco Conference

More than 160 advocates from around the state celebrating public health successes from the past decade gathered for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas’ 10th annual Striking Out Tobacco in Arkansas Conference in North Little Rock, September 13th, 2012.  Tobacco advocates learned best practices from some of the nation’s top tobacco control authorities. The Latino Networking Reception, sponsored by MISRGO at UAPB immediately followed at North Little’s Wyndham Riverfront Hotel.

Mississippi County Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas Participates in National Webinar

Elroy Brown speaks at webinar

Elroy Brown, of the Mississippi County Coalition For A Tobacco Free Arkansas participated in a nationwide webinar with national known speakers Amber Bullock of the American Legacy Foundation of Washington, D.C. , and Dr. Phillip Gardiner, a public Health activist, administrator, evaluator and researcher, of the University of California, office of the President. One of the goals of the Mississippi County Coalition For A Tobacco Free Arkansas is creating tobacco free environments. Employees who work in smoke-filled businesses suffer a 25-50 percent higher risk of heart attack and higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as increased acute respiratory disease and measurable decreases in lung function. For information on quitting tobacco call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.misrgo.org.