News and Events

On May 1st, the City Council of Lake City recognized May 7th- 13th as “Tobacco Free Florida Week.” This year’s theme, The Cost of Smoking, focused on revealing the hard truth on the deadly cost of tobacco use. “Make no doubt about it that smoking cigarettes is a costly addiction. Not only does it costs smokers their health, but also their money and time with friends and family.” explained Joseph O’Hern, Columbia County Community Health Advocate.

But the cost of smoking can also have an impact on our state and local communities as well. To date the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida program saved the state $3.2 billion in health care costs in 2015 and annual smoking related health care costs in Florida decreased 15 percent from 2006 to 2015 as a result of fewer adults smoking. Not only did the Tobacco Free Partnership work to create awareness and educate the community on “The Cost of Smoking” but local Students Working Against Tobacco clubs also took part by educating their peers as well as school district faculty and staff.