On June 5, 2018, San Francisco residents voted 68.4% YES to uphold a ban on flavored tobacco products, including menthol in cigarettes and flavored electronic cigarette and vaping devices. In 2009, the FDA banned the sales of flavored cigarettes, except menthol and tobacco flavor, as part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The San Francisco vote represents a major shift in localities making decisions about the health of the community.

Center for the Study of Tobacco

Overview of Center for the Study of Tobacco (CST)

The Center for the Study of Tobacco (CST) serves as focal point for research, training and translational activities that aim to address tobacco use, exposure to tobacco, and the tobacco-related disease burden in Arkansas communities, the nation, and beyond. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable and premature death and disability. It kills nearly half of all its users. In Arkansas, tobacco use is a major cause of cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, low birth weight, and other diseases and conditions. Arkansas has one of the highest cigarette smoking prevalence rates in the nation. Nearly one-fourth of Arkansan adults and one-fifth of 12th graders smoke cigarettes.

To address the tobacco burden, the mission of the CST is to engage multiple disciplines in conducting collaborative and innovative research designed to inform public health policies and enhance interventions to reduce tobacco use of any kind.  The CST serves as a focal point for research, training, and translational research in Arkansas where there are unique opportunities to build synergy and address tobacco use.   Our vision is to create a world where the costs of tobacco use and exposure are no longer a burden to individuals, population groups, or communities. With a critical mass of faculty, partnerships, and student trainees, the CST can fill significant research gaps that help to reduce tobacco use in Arkansas.

The overarching priorities of the CST are:

  • Infrastructure development and sustainability
  • Integration and innovation in research
  • Teaching, training, and mentoring future leaders
  • Translation and dissemination

The CST seeks to fill significant research gaps related to tobacco use and exposure in Arkansas by building synergy among faculty, students, community partners, and other stakeholders. The CST has several ongoing initiatives such as the Tobacco and Related Diseases Working Group, the Pilot Study Program, and the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Mentored Fellowship. In addition, courses are offered by faculty to train the next generation of tobacco researchers and practitioners.

 

For more information, please contact:

Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor and Director, Center for the Study of Tobacco
Department Health Behavior and Health Education
Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 West Markham Street, Room 6201B, #820
Little Rock, AR 72205
Tel: 501-526-2294
Fax: 501-526-6709
Email: pfagan@uams.edu