“Smoke Butts, Not Lungs,” a smoking cessation and prevention program sponsored by the Arkansas Tech University Health and Wellness Center, is planned for Thursday, March 28.
It will take place from 2-5 p.m. in the Hull Building Student Union. Admission will be open to Arkansas Tech students with a valid ATU identification card. ATU faculty and staff are also welcome to attend.
The event will include free pork barbecue with traditional sides and strawberry shortcake, games, shirts and prizes while supplies last.
According to information provided by Aspire Arkansas, smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, causing more than 480,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and leading to higher long-term health costs. The program reports that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease both among smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke.
In 2022, 19 percent of adults in Arkansas reported being smokers, down 8 percentage points from 2011, but 5 points above the national rate. Arkansas ranks 50th in the nation on this indicator, including the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Learn more about Arkansas’ smoking statistics at https://aspirearkansas.org/health/smoking-rate.
Call (479) 968-0329 or send e-mail to hwc@atu.edu for more information.
