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. or you can complete this form: Intake Form
2023-2024 Advisory Council Member & Champion
Travis George - Director of Community Outreach, Florida Gateway College
Travis has been a great advocate and champion for Tobacco Free Columbia this year. He was recognized for his efforts and dedication to the partnership. Thank you for your unwavering support.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Enduring CE Course on Youth Vaping for Healthcare Providers
FREE - Youth Vaping webinar for healthcare providers. Watch here
Thank you to the Columbia County School District for sharing this important message about the tobacco free school policy.
INITIATIVES
Local initiatives supported by Tobacco Free Columbia include those intended to:
Effects of Menthol tobacco products
Menthol cigarettes pose significant public health risks, increasing addiction, making it harder to quit, and contributing to 378,000 premature deaths between 1980 and 2018. The tobacco industry heavily markets menthol products to specific communities, particularly African Americans, leading to disproportionately high rates of menthol use. Eliminating menthol from cigarettes could significantly reduce smoking rates in Florida, improving health outcomes for populations that have been targeted by aggressive menthol marketing. Learn more: Tobacco Free Florida
POS Marketing:
Stop illegal tobacco and vape product sales and predatory marketing practices.
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
Tobacco Free Schools
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.
Columbia County School District adopted a comprehensive tobacco-free school policy in April 2023. This policy covers all tobacco and nicotine products on all school property, at all times. Click here for a copy of Policy 8.32 and the Student Code of Conduct.
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!! As of November 20, 2023, the Town of Ft. White also passed a tobacco-free park ordinance for their parks. Thank you to all of our supporters and council members!
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!
YOUTH ADVOCACY
Students Working Against Tobacco
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/
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
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?
Support Teens and help them quit nicotine - Truth Initiative - Text DITCHVAPE to 88709
Community Partners
We are community led and driven. We also support other organizations and their initiatives that improve the well-being of our community.
