Arkansas Helps Latinos Quit Smoking [02/02/06-2]

Excerpts from: Arkansas Launches New Anti-smoking Campaign Among Hispanics, Log Cabin Democrat

By Daniel Connolly, Associated Press [02/02/06]

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas health officers launched a beefed-up campaign on Tuesday aimed at stopping smoking among the state's Hispanic population.

"Many people believe Latinos and other people of color are not smoking, but that's not the case," said Cesar Compadre, head of La Casa, an organization that wants to improve health care access for Arkansas Hispanics.

He cited one of the group's surveys conducted in 2002-2003 that found 41 percent of Hispanic men reported tobacco use.

The state already has programs aimed at preventing smoking among Hispanics, said Amanda Merritt, events coordinator for tobacco prevention education for the state of Arkansas. But funds from the settlement of a tobacco lawsuit will help fund additional outreach efforts in schools, at health fairs and other community events, she said.

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