News and Events
Tobacco Free Partnership and Students Working Against Tobacco Celebrate “Through With Chew Week”
February 24, 2018
The Tobacco Free Partnership of Columbia County and local Students Working Against Tobacco members took the opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco – like chew and dip – during Through With Chew Week. The national public awareness campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people, and local prevention efforts aim to help combat this deadly addiction.
SWAT members at Lake City Middle School decided to go one-on-one with their peers. Setting up an informative booth during school lunches providing information on the dangers of smokeless tobacco but also educating their fellow classmates as well. Columbia High School SWAT members as well as the Tobacco Free Partnership partnered with the Olustee Festival 5K to provide information to race runners on the dangers of smokeless tobacco and the importance of “Through With Chew Week.”
Joseph O’Hern, Community Health Advocate with the QuitDoc Foundation commented, “Our smokeless tobacco numbers aren’t ideal when compared to the state average. For instance, per the 2016 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 11.4% of youth ages 11-17 have tried smokeless tobacco in comparison to only 5.0% across the state.” He then went on to say, “Raising awareness about smokeless tobacco is just the start of reducing those numbers and erasing the idea that smokeless tobacco is harmless.”
If you’re interested in joining the Tobacco Free Partnership in their efforts to reduce tobacco use and change social norms email info@TFP-Columbia.org.
