Anti-smoking posters going up at local daycares

As part of their ongoing efforts to stop tobacco use in the area, the Mississippi County Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas is posting Act 811 posters at area childcare centers, Head Start buildings and WIC offices.

Act 811, or the Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act, was created in August of 2011 in the Arkansas legislature. It raises the age of children who cannot be exposed to secondhand smoke in a vehicle up to 14. The law states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and that even brief exposure can be harmful to children. Smoking in a vehicle with children under 14 is a primary offense; meaning that a vehicle can be pulled over and the driver ticketed for violation of the law.

The posters stress the importance of smoke free environments for youth.

"All the child care centers, Head Starts and WIC facilities in Mississippi, Craighead, Crittenden, and Poinsett counties will receive educational and information on Act 81," said Elroy Brown of the Coalition. "We are expecting parent groups from the faith based and community sector will show a 90 percent increase of awareness on on Act 811. We want all citizens to know that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Even a brief exposure can be harmful to children."

For information and help on quitting tobacco, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

sharris@blythevillecourier.com