News and Events
After Six Years of Successful Tobacco Prevention Efforts in Columbia County, QuitDoc Foundation Bids a Fond Farewell
June 7, 2021
As we come to the end of Fiscal Year 2020-2021, we have so much to reflect upon and be thankful for during our time with QuitDoc Foundation and leading the Tobacco Free Partnership of Columbia County.
Since 2015, under QuitDoc leadership, the Community-Based Tobacco Prevention program in Columbia County has partnered with the community and focused on numerous tobacco control policy changes and had multiple successes. Our goals and initiatives have focused on policies that promote tobacco-free social norms, prevent initiation and usage among local youth through involvement of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) clubs in the middle and high schools, community engagement and education.
The youth rates of smokeless tobacco and cigarette use have declined in recent years locally with the rates of e-cigarettes on the rise. The most recent Florida Youth Tobacco Survey reports 23.2% of youth ages 11-17 currently use electronic vaping devices, a rate much higher than previous years use of all tobacco products. What is especially concerning is the amount of the highly addictive nicotine found in these products that are addicting our youth.
This is where the Point-of-Sale policy work is most beneficial in working towards change. The partnership has presented to state legislators, Board of County Commissioners, City Council, and other community leaders about the importance of a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) that could address emerging tobacco products, flavored products that appeal to youth, and reduce advertising at retailers. Ultimately, a TRL would limit the youth access, restrict tobacco sales, limit the number of retailers near schools and overall improve public health outcomes.
The partnership has also established policies to increase the number of tobacco free worksites/businesses that support employees trying to quit and those exposed to secondhand smoke to provide a healthy work environment. Voluntary tobacco-free policies at outdoor events have been another objective and accomplishment in the past 6 years. More specifically, the partnership has sponsored numerous tobacco free events and venues throughout the county, such as the Kids Zone at the Olustee Festival, Trunk or Treat, wellness fairs, Chamber events, and a local symposium. The partnership also assisted with the implementation and support of Smoke Free Multi Unit Housing policies in Columbia County. Most importantly, we have worked with the school district to assist in implementing a comprehensive tobacco free policy on all school property and provided signage to communicate the policy.
As a final note, we regret to inform you that as of June 30th, QuitDoc will no longer be leading the tobacco prevention program in Columbia County. Without the continued support of our community members, organizations, leaders, and businesses, we would not have been able to achieve our goals during the 6 years building and growing the partnership. We would like to take this time to thank this wonderful community for allowing us to be your prevention partners.
