Arkansas slipped a notch in the national ranking to number 6 and remains one of top states for spending tobacco settlement money for tobacco prevention. It spent $15.6 million for tobacco control work which is 87.1% of the Center for Disease Control [CDC] recommended minimum. One of the goals being discussed for the upcoming legislative session is to raise this to 100% of CDC recommendation.

Arkansas is bordered by the worst states in this category. Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. Mississippi, long a national leader and one of the few states that met the CDC's recommendation, has fallen to near the bottom because Governor Haley Barbour, a former tobacco lobbyist, has worked relentlessly to eliminate funding for the program.

Nationally, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids seems some improvement but says much needs to be improved. It said in a national news release, "This year, we find that while the states have modestly increased total funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, the vast majority of states are still failing to keep the promise of the tobacco settlement and falling far short of funding such programs at even minimum levels recommended by the CDC."

This has been a very productive year for MCCTFA. The program is growing in visibility, credibility, partnerships, outcomes, and impact. Sustainability is very important to MCCTFA and they continuously seek funding opportunities. However, it appears that MCCTFA may have reached a tipping point in the sense that they are not only seeking potential funders Ð funders also seek them out and extend opportunities to apply for funds and build new partnerships. This is a major level that increases that great potential that can be reached by the MCCTFA network. The program coordinator is a single person who does the work of many and his accomplishments are noticed by many.