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    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • MEMBERS
    • INITIATIVES
    • MEETINGS & EVENTS
    • YOUTH ADVOCACY
    • Gallery
    • TEEN VAPING
    • Live Vape Free
    • QUIT
    • COMMUNITY
    • CONTACT
    • Sign Up
    • …  
      • HOME
      • ABOUT
      • MEMBERS
      • INITIATIVES
      • MEETINGS & EVENTS
      • YOUTH ADVOCACY
      • Gallery
      • TEEN VAPING
      • Live Vape Free
      • QUIT
      • COMMUNITY
      • CONTACT
      • Sign Up
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      • HOME
      • ABOUT
      • MEMBERS
      • INITIATIVES
      • MEETINGS & EVENTS
      • YOUTH ADVOCACY
      • Gallery
      • TEEN VAPING
      • Live Vape Free
      • QUIT
      • COMMUNITY
      • CONTACT
      • Sign Up
      • …  
        • HOME
        • ABOUT
        • MEMBERS
        • INITIATIVES
        • MEETINGS & EVENTS
        • YOUTH ADVOCACY
        • Gallery
        • TEEN VAPING
        • Live Vape Free
        • QUIT
        • COMMUNITY
        • CONTACT
        • Sign Up
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      • Every resident of Columbia County deserves a fair chance at a healthy future — free from nicotine addiction.

        In Columbia County, 1 in 4 adults smoke and 1 in 4 youth (27%) ages 11-17 vapes or uses another toxic tobacco product. Though there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, Two-thirds (64%) of local youth report being exposed.

      • ABOUT

        Vision & Mission

        As a partnership, we promote a healthy community by reducing the impact of nicotine and tobacco use on youth and adults. Our mission is to mobilize the community and advance local policies that will help end nicotine addiction, protect children, and improve public health for generations to come.

         

        Membership

        To apply to join Tobacco Free Columbia, please contact Brooke Frye at info@tobaccofreecolumbia.com. Interested persons are encouraged to attend a meeting to learn more about Tobacco Free Columbia’s work.

      • COMMUNITY EVENTS

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        November Informational Packet

        Connecting our community by sharing resources and

        information on important topics that expand the knowledge,

        health, and well-being of our residents. Click here to access the packet.

         

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        Seasonal Canning Class

        UF IFAS Extension is offering a canning class on December 4th, you can register here: https://extseaonalcanning.eventbrite.com/

         

      • INITIATIVES

        Local initiatives supported by Tobacco Free Columbia include those intended to:

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        Stop illegal tobacco and vape product sales and predatory marketing practices. What is POS pdf.

         

        Policy change has played a major role in smoke-free air reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, providing health warnings on tobacco packaging and raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years of age.

         

        Together, we work on policies to counteract the tobacco industry influence at the retail point of sale (POS). Tobacco companies spend most of their advertising and promotional money at the POS, taking full advantage of their dollars on exterior and interior advertisements, product placement and price discounts. In 2020, the tobacco industry spent over $6.8 BILLION to advertise and promote their products in the retail environment. Read more

         

         

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        Ensure K-12 school policies that address tobacco are comprehensive and effective. A comprehensive school- based tobacco free policy is a key strategy outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing and reducing tobacco use among youth. These policies benefit students, faculty, staff and visitors by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and establishing frameworks which reinforce tobacco free norms and attitudes.

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        Successful Students = A Healthy Future

        K-12 handout

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        Tobacco Free Public Spaces - Tobacco Free Parks Protect Kids

         

         

        We are excited to announce that the Board of County Commission adopted a tobacco-free county park ordinance for all county parks, facilities, and recreational centers as of March 23, 2023. The City of Lake City also adopted tobacco-free parks on August 20, 2023. Thank you to all of our county and city officials!!

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        Do you have a business or facility that you would like to make tobacco-free? Reach out to our partnership and we would be happy to assist you with a tobacco-free policy.

        We have recently assisted 2 facilities with tobacco-free work place and facility policies to create a healthier environment. Thank you Christian Service Center and Grace Pediatrics!

      • MEETINGS & EVENTS

        Tobacco Free Columbia typically meets every 3 months or once per quarter, more often as needed. Meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome!

         

        Our next meeting will be on January 18, 2024, at 9:30 am at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. To join via video, please contact Brooke Frye at info@tobaccofreecoumbia.com for the meeting link.

         

        The next Students Working Against Tobacco meeting will be held monthly. To join via video, please contact Brooke Frye at info@tobaccofreecolumbia.com for the meeting link.

      • YOUTH ADVOCACY

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        Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) mobilizes and equips youth to protect their generation from the tobacco and vaping industries. Columbia County SWAT members build leadership skills and plan activities to help raise awareness and support for policies that benefit the community.

        To learn more or to attend a SWAT meeting or event in Columbia County, contact info@tobaccofreecolumbia.com.

         

        We currently have 2 SWAT Clubs, one at Ft. White Middle School and a community club with Boy Scout Troop 85. Stay tuned for upcoming activities and events.

         

        To learn more about SWAT’s work across the state, visit SWATflorida.com.

         

        Not A Lab Rat Campaign empowers youth statewide to stand up and declare that they refuse to be Big Tobacco's "lab rats" as we discover the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes. For information on how to get involved with SWAT and help create change, visit https://www.swatflorida.com/join-the-movement/

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        The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) tracks indicators of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among Florida public middle and high school students and provides data for monitoring and evaluating tobacco use among youth for the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Tobacco Prevention and Control.

         

        In 2022, 25.8% of Columbia County youth reported ever trying electronic vaping and 15.4% currently use electronic vaping.

         

        To learn more about the survey, visit: http://www.floridahealth.gov/statistics-and-data/survey-data/florida-youth-survey/florida-youth-tobacco-survey/index.html

      • Gallery

        Photos & videos from our community and school events

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        Olustee Festival 2023
        National Night Out
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        Montgomery Park Clean up
        SWAT Regional training
        NALR 2022
        Kiwanis Kids Day
        Florida Gateway Fair 2022
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      • Teen Vaping

        Youth vaping rates are at an all time high and e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product. What do you know about e-cigarettes?

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      • What does your child know about vaping or do they need help quitting?

        1

        Talk to them

        From Tobacco Free Kids: Resources for Parents offers ideas for conversation starters. Print this fact sheet for yourself or share it with your children. Ask them what they think after reading the tip sheet.

        2

        Teen-friendly app

        This Is Quitting created a program to help young people quit vaping. This is a free texting program with access to tons of resources—including on-demand support for cravings, stress and slips, plus regularly-scheduled messages and reminders that are designed to help you quit.

        3

        Talk to your Doctor

        If your child is struggling, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about addiction counseling services available in your area. You can also talk to your doctor to discuss if nicotine replacement therapy could be appropriate for your child. Do not allow your child to use nicotine replacement therapy without consulting your doctor.

        4

        More Resources

        Scholastic offers additional resources and videos to learn more about e-cigarettes.    
        The Real Cost of Vaping
        Additional websites to check out:
        https://truthinitiative.org
        https://www.thefactsnow.com/
        or https://tobaccofreeflorida.com/current-issues/e-cigarette-cessation-services/
        5

        More Resources

        Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) is a voluntary tobacco/vaping cessation program for teens 14-19. or NOT for Me is a free self guided online program to help teens break nicotine dependancy. Learn more: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit/not-on-tobacco

         

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        Support Teens and help them quit nicotine - Truth Initiative - Text DITCHVAPE to 88709

         


         

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      • QUIT

        Are you or someone you care about ready to quit? Support is available!

         

        Talk to a quit coach, find a quit group, or get free nicotine replacement patches or gum. Learn more about these and other FREE resources at Tobacco Free Florida.

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      • Community Partners

        We are community led and driven. We also support other organizations and their initiatives that improve the well-being of our community.

         

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      • CONTACT

        To learn more about Tobacco Free Columbia, please contact Brooke Frye at  info@tobaccofreecolumbia.com.
      • Sign Up

        If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter and information packet or to join our partnership, sign up here.

      © 2021 | TOBACCO FREE COLUMBIA PARTNERSHIP
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