1/29/21 THE STATE OF TOBACCO CONTROL IN FLORIDA STATEMENT FROM THE BUREAU OF TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA  

On Jan. 27, the American Lung Association (ALA) released the results of its annual report, “State of Tobacco Control,” which monitors federal and state progress on key tobacco-related policies. The ALA’s grading formula is largely based on funding allocations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

1/26/21 TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA HAS FREE HELP SMOKERS NEED TO STICK TO NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO QUIT SMOKING

Many people make New Year’s resolutions to accomplish personal goals, but some resolutions do not always go according to plan. In fact, by the second week of February, about four out of five resolutions fail. Quitting tobacco is no different, and quitting for good may require several attempts. Tobacco Free Florida is encouraging those who have had unsuccessful quit attempts to try again using the program’s free and proven-effective quit tools and services.

11/16/20 TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA’S “VIRTUAL GROUP QUIT” PROVES POPULAR ADDITION TO QUIT SUPPORT

The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program announced today its “Virtual Group Quit” classes – initially launched as a temporary solution to provide cessation support via Zoom video calls – will become a permanent addition to the department’s expanding suite of free quit support services.

10/20/20 TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA ENCOURAGES PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY STUDENT BEHAVIORS AS ALL COUNTIES RETURN FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES

As all Florida counties return for in-person classes, the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is encouraging parents and teachers to talk to students about healthy lifestyles. This includes living tobacco and nicotine free and the importance of lung health.

10/5/20 FLORIDA YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAM LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT YOUTH E-CIGARETTE ADDICTION

On Oct. 5, the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida youth prevention program, THE FACTS NOW, launched a new statewide youth electronic cigarette prevention campaign called Textimonials. The campaign features real testimonials from young e-cigarette users told in the language they speak – texting. The ads demonstrate how e-cigarette use can have serious effects on people’s lives, even as a young adult.

9/30/20 FLORIDA YOUTH CHOSEN AS THE CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS YOUTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

Allyssa Williams, Osceola county high school graduate and a former member of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) has been awarded as the 2020 Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year. Each year Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids awards
this honor to the overall top-scoring senior applicant who has demonstrated a significant commitment to tobacco prevention in their state and community. As the leading advocacy organization, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works to reduce tobacco use and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world.

6/18/20 FLORIDA YOUTH CHOSEN TO SERVE IN NATIONAL TOBACCO CONTROL ROLES

Eight members of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Florida’s youth-led statewide organization to fight back against the tobacco industry, have been selected to serve in the two Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Ambassador programs. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is the leading non-profit advocacy organization that works to reduce tobacco use and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world.

5/4/20 TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA WEEK URGES COMMUNITY ACTION TO FIGHT YOUTH E-CIGARETTE EPIDEMIC

The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida is launching a new statewide initiative during the annual Tobacco Free Florida Week, taking place May 4 – 10, 2020. The theme, Epidemic to Action, aims to encourage communities to mobilize from Epidemic to Action. Although the increase in youth e-cigarette use rates has slowed, 25.6% of Florida high schoolers and 9.1% of Florida middle schoolers are still using e-cigarettes.

1/31/20 THE STATE OF TOBACCO CONTROL IN FLORIDA

On Jan. 29, the American Lung Association (ALA) released the results of its annual report, “State of Tobacco Control 2020,” which monitors federal and state progress on key tobacco-related policies. The ALA’s formula for grades is largely based on funding allocations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report reinforces that comprehensive tobacco control programs, like Tobacco Free Florida, are essential to make a significant impact in reducing tobacco use in the state.

1/27/20 DON’T GIVE UP ON BEING TOBACCO FREE

Many people make New Year’s resolutions to accomplish personal goals, but some resolutions do not always go according to plan. In fact, by the second week of February, about four out of five resolutions fail. Quitting smoking is no different. For many smokers, it can take several attempts to quit for good.

12/23/19 BUREAU OF TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA’S STATEMENT REGARDING INCREASED AGE TO PURCHASE TOBACCO AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE PRODUCTS

On Dec. 20, President Donald Trump signed a new law raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco and electronic cigarette products to 21 years old. This announcement comes in support of an effort to prevent youth tobacco initiation and curb the nationwide youth e-cigarette epidemic.

12/18/19, FLORIDA ADULT SMOKING RATE HITS RECORD LOW

New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) reveals that the Florida adult cigarette smoking rate continues to decrease. Current adult cigarette smoking rates decreased from 16.1% in 2017 to 14.5% in 2018, nearly a 10% decrease.

11/5/19, LOWEST EVER FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL CIGARETTE SMOKING RATES OFFER HOPE AMID NATIONWIDE VAPING EPIDEMIC

New data from the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) show an unprecedented milestone in Florida’s youth tobacco prevention efforts. According to the new data, the current high school cigarette smoking rate stands at 2.1%, the lowest it has ever been in the state.

9/12/19, BUREAU OF TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA’S STATEMENT REGARDING VAPING-ASSOCIATED PULMONARY INJURY

Several state and federal agencies have been coordinating over the past several weeks to investigate cases of pulmonary injury possibly related to electronic cigarette product use (or “vaping”), primarily among adolescents and young adults – also being referred to as the Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury (VAPI). The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida (BTFF), Bureau of Epidemiology, and Public Health Research have received several potential reports of illness, and are investigating these potential cases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), county health departments and the Florida Poison Information Center Network.

7/26/2019, BUREAU OF TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA’S STATEMENT REGARDING JUUL LABS, INC. CONGRESSIONAL HEARING

On July 25, the United States House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee’s Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee concluded a two-day hearing to examine JUUL’s role in the youth e-cigarette epidemic.

7/3/2019, VAPING IS BANNED IN INDOOR WORKPLACES STARTING JULY 1

Effective July 1, a new voter-approved law takes effect under the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (FCIAA) that bans vaping and the use of e-cigarettes in workplaces. In November 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 9 that was enacted by the legislative commission and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 26.

4/22/2019, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA WEEK SPOTLIGHTS THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC

The federal government declared youth vaping, or e-cigarette use, a nationwide epidemic. In light of these concerns and the misinformation surrounding this topic, the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida is helping educate parents, educators, pediatricians and partners on what they need to know about vaping and youth. This year’s Tobacco Free Florida Week, April 22–28, is themed E-Epidemic: Vaping and Youth.

12/20/2018, BUREAU OF TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA’S STATEMENT REGARDING YOUTH ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE USE

This week significant announcements have come out regarding youth electronic cigarette use. On Dec. 17, the annual Monitoring the Future survey revealed the largest increase recorded in the past 43 years for any adolescent substance use outcome in the United States: e-cigarette use. On Dec. 18, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams officially declared youth e-cigarette use an epidemic in an advisory that emphasized the importance of protecting youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.

9/12/2018, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA RESPONSE TO FDA DECLARATION OF YOUTH E-CIGARETTE USE EPIDEMIC

On September 12, 2018, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., released a statement declaring youth electronic cigarette use an epidemic. The FDA also announced it issued more than 1,300 warning letters and fines to retailers, including requests to the top five e-cigarette manufacturers – JUUL, Vuse, MarkTen, blu and Logic – for thorough plans to address the widespread youth use of e-cigarettes within 60 days. The organization will also be investigating these brands’ marketing and sales practices as they relate to this dramatic increase in youth e-cigarette use.

06/7/18, NEW DATA: CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG TEENS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW, BUT E- CIGARETTE USE A CONCERN

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analyzed data from the 2011–2017 National Youth Tobacco Surveys (NYTS) to determine recent patterns of current (past 30-day) tobacco use among youth.

06/7/18, FACTSHEET: YOUTH TOBACCO USE

Since the launch of the Tobacco Free Florida campaign, fewer teens have started smoking. The cigarette-smoking rate among Florida high school students dropped from 14.5 percent in 20073 to 4.2 percent in 2017 – an astounding 71 percent decrease.

04/30/18, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA SUPPORTS FDA’S ACTION ON JUUL E-CIGARETTES

On April 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced enforcement actions and a youth tobacco prevention plan to stop youth use and access to JUUL e-cigarettes.

03/28/2018, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA LOOKS AT DISPARITIES DURING TFF WEEK

The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is launching a new initiative during of the annual Tobacco Free Florida Week, taking place April 2 – 8. The theme, Achieving Health Equity, raises awareness of tobacco-related health disparities throughout the state. Promoting health equity—each individual achieving optimal health—is a statewide priority highlighted in the state’s newly revised state health improvement plan.

01/25/2018, THE STATE OF TOBACCO CONTROL IN FLORIDA

On Jan. 24, the American Lung Association released the results of its annual report, “State of Tobacco Control 2018,” which monitors federal and state progress on key tobacco-related policies. The American Lung Association’s formula for grades is largely based on funding allocations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year’s report reinforces some key points that make it clear sustained funding for Tobacco Free Florida is essential to make a significant impact in reducing tobacco use in the state.

12/07/2017, TOBACCO COMPANIES ORDERED TO PUBLISH “CORRECTIVE STATEMENT” ADVERTISEMENTS

Eleven years after a federal court order, the four major U.S. tobacco companies – Altria, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and Philip Morris USA – began publishing “corrective statement” advertisements about the dangers of their deadly and addictive products on Nov. 26, 2017.

5/04/2017, WHAT’S THE TRUE COST OF SMOKING?

Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed May 7-13 as Tobacco Free Florida Week. This year, the theme for the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida Week is The Cost of Smoking, which focuses on what smoking costs Floridians — both physically and financially. The amount of money smokers spend can be significant. A pack-a-day smoker in Florida can spend more than $2,100 in just one year and more than $10,500 in five years.

3/29/2017, FLORIDA ADULT SMOKING RATE AT RECORD LOW BUT NEW COUNTY RANKINGS SHOW MANY COMMUNITIES LAGGING BEHIND

Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts have helped reduce the state cigarette smoking rate to a record low. In Florida, 15.8 percent of adults (ages 18+) were current cigarette smokers in 2015, the latest data available. Florida ranked 16th among the states. While smoking in Florida is low overall, there are geographic and demographic inequalities across the state, as seen in the 2017 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report released today. Many of Florida’s rural counties had significantly higher smoking rates than the statewide average.

11/10/2016, FLORIDA ADULT AND TEEN SMOKING RATES HIT RECORD LOW

Ten years ago this month, Floridians voted overwhelmingly in support of a state constitutional amendment to fund a tobacco education and use prevention program, now known as Tobacco Free Florida. The program has resulted in a significant decrease in smoking rates among both adults and teens in the state, leading to billions of dollars and countless lives saved.

8/2/2016, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA EXPANDS FREE QUIT SERVICES

New Program and Ads Encourage Floridians to Quit Your Way.

Quitting tobacco isn’t easy, but finding help should be. With its new Quit Your Way program, the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is making it easier for tobacco users in the state to access the free and proven-effective resources available to all Floridians. This expansion of resources offers tobacco users interested in quitting access to free tools, including a 2-Week Starter Kit of nicotine replacement patches, Text2Quit, Email Tips and a Quit Guide. They can choose as many as they need or use them in addition to Tobacco Free Florida’s Phone, Group and Web Quit services, which have already helped more than 137,000 Floridians successfully quit.

5/11/2016, TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA EXPOSES THE RISKS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE

Eighth Annual Tobacco Free Florida Week Aims to Break the Myth that Secondhand Smoke is Harmless.

Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed May 8 -14 as Tobacco Free Florida Week and to celebrate, the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is launching a new initiative, Secondhand Smoke Exposed, to educate Floridians about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

4/18/2016, CIGARETTE LITTER REMAINS A 1.69 BILLION POUND PROBLEM

Tobacco Free Florida Encourages Floridians to Play Their Part in Reducing Cigarette Litter.

This Earth Day, the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida Program reminds Floridians that cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, adding up to 1.69 billion pounds of toxic litter each year. On Friday, April 22, 2016, smokers can use this observance to consider what they can do to help the environment – including quitting tobacco use.

4/15/2016, YOUTH TOBACCO & NICOTINE USE CONTINUES TO RISE

Statement from the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the use of e-cigarettes among youth in the United States increased from 2014 to 2015. Three million middle and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2015, up from 2.46 million in 2014. Results from the 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) show that e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle school students (5.3 percent) and high school students (16 percent) for the second consecutive year.

2/16/2016, SMOKELESS TOBACCO USE REMAINS HIGH

Tobacco Free Florida is raising awareness during “Through with Chew Week”.

The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida Program is raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco – like chew and dip – during Through With Chew Week. This national public awareness campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people, and Tobacco Free Florida aims to help combat this deadly addiction. Through With Chew Week takes place Feb. 14-20, with the Great American Spit Out – a day when smokeless tobacco users join together to quit – on Feb.18.