Tobacco Free Florida Calls for a Salute to Health
Tobacco Free Florida launched the Salute to Health initiative with the mission of reaching out to veterans and those who care about them – family, friends, colleagues, and caregivers. Salute to Health is designed to create opportunities for people to learn about the history of tobacco’s harmful impact on Florida’s veterans. The initiative is also raising awareness of the free resources that can help turn veterans’ tobacco quitting attempts into victories.
Over 1.3 million veterans call the Sunshine state home, the second-largest population of veterans in the country. Just the veteran population of Florida is larger than the entire population of states like Montana, Rhode Island, and Delaware!
Across the nation, about 1 in 5 veterans (20.1%) smoke cigarettes, nearly double the national adult average rate of 11.6%. Many service members began smoking after entering military service, and it is not a coincidence. Tobacco companies spent millions of dollars over multiple decades on selected  marketing, seeking to associate cigarette use with being in the armed services.
Tobacco company documentation has established that the military was specifically selected by tobacco companies to promote use of these products through marketing strategies like sponsoring events. One study found tobacco companies between 1980 and 1997. This included a wide variety of events at military bases, off-base bars and clubs that served military personnel, and at a series of local concerts.
As an example, even just one brand, in one year, was responsible for 42 nights of events providing free entertainment to 363,000 military personnel – including onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise!
There are also misconceptions that led some to start smoking. Many people believe smoking is a stress reliever, but nicotine actually increases stress levels. Quitting smoking can lower them.
WHY IT MATTERS
No one should use tobacco or nicotine products and there is no safe level of exposure to nicotine. There are many health impacts that veterans and their family members should also consider as among the great reasons to quit.
Smoking also harms normal lung function, which is key to remain healthy and active. Just two weeks to three months after quitting smoking, lung function improves dramatically.
Tobacco use interferes with the effectiveness of many prescription medicines used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions. This can result in patients requiring stronger dosage levels of the medicines, which often have concerns including side effects and potential for addiction.
Smoking can also worsen the pain of chronic health conditions many military personnel and veterans deal with, including back pain, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, tooth and gum pain, and fibromyalgia.
While tobacco is often mistakenly referred to as a habit, the truth is that nicotine is highly addictive. For many people, successfully quitting may take several attempts.
HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE SALUTE TO HEALTH
The good news is that you don’t have to fight it alone. Tobacco Free Florida has free quit tools and resources that can make a quit attempt a success. Using these tools may improve your chances of success by as much as 50-60%.
If you are a veteran ready to quit or have a veteran in your life that may be ready to quit, Salute to Health provides new materials to help start a conversation that can lead to victory over tobacco.
MATERIALS FOR DOWNLOAD
Support is available virtually or in-person, on phone or online, at no cost and regardless of insurance and throughout the entire state of Florida. Join the Salute to Health initiative, and be part of the mission to support a healthier and tobacco free Florida!
