By Kev' Moye
Standing behind a podium in the Rahn Auditorium, Joseph Bates, M.D., MS., prepared to present an award during the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health’s 2022 Convocation.
Bates, the associate dean for Public Health Practice, marveled over how the auditorium was smoke-free and clean. After gazing around, he then addressed the many students, family members, faculty and staff who were in attendance.
“Believe it or not, there was a time in Arkansas where you could smoke anywhere. This auditorium would’ve been filled with smoke. Office buildings, restaurants, even hospitals … people smoked wherever they wanted to. Smoke was always around,” he said.
