A new report from the American Lung Association says transitioning completely to electric vehicles over the next 20 years could save Arkansans over $9 billion in medical costs by 2050.

Laura Turner with the group says there are many lung-related issues linked vehicle emissions.

“Factoring in all of the issues that we know are connected to pollution and figuring out, based on that, if we [could] reduce those health issues proportionately, such as asthma attacks,” Turner said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-30/report-says-electric-vehicles-could-save-arkansas-billions-in-healthcare

*Michael Hibblen/KUAR News*
An electric vehicle charging station along Interstate 30 in Texarkana, Texas near the Arkansas border on June 20, 2021.

KUAR | By Remington Miller

A new report looks at the use of tobacco products in Arkansas, grading the state in several categories relating to prevention efforts and the impact of its use.

The American Lung Association’s State of Control 20th annual report showed that Arkansas failed in three out of five categories: tobacco prevention and control program funding, tobacco taxes, and flavored tobacco products. In the other two categories, access to cessation services and smoke-free air, the state received higher grades, a D and C respectively.

The association’s Senior Manager for Advocacy for Arkansas and Missouri Laura Turner expressed concern for the bad grade in funding state tobacco prevention programs.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-26/arkansas-receives-three-failing-grades-on-tobacco-use-report

Report says electric vehicles could save Arkansas billions in health costs

Arkansas receives three failing grades on tobacco use report