News and Events
The Benefits of Tobacco Free Events
March 1, 2020
Tobacco Free Events provide endless benefits to community members by allowing them to enjoy their time without the worry of being exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor, providing an environment that shows youth tobacco use is not the norm, and by supporting those that have made the difficult decision to quit the use of tobacco. Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death and disease and Tobacco Free Events send a very important message that the community’s health and well-being are a priority. Together, we can reduce the toll of tobacco on our community through Tobacco Free Events.
For the past few years, creating a safer environment by pushing for more tobacco-free events in DeSoto County has been at the forefront of our focus. In fact, the Tobacco Free Partnership worked with the DeSoto County Rodeo Board to write and implement a smoke free venue policy upon the grand opening of the Mosaic Arena. The Mosaic Arena host many events throughout the year, including, but not limited, to the Grand Daddy of ‘Em All March Rodeo, which brings in over 20,000 attendees.
TFP Members were also able to partner with The DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce to adopt a tobacco-free events policy. The Chamber hosts several events every year in which hundreds of community members in DeSoto County attend. This tobacco-free event policy states that all chamber functions and events will be tobacco-free. In addition, we were recently able to assist our Boys & Girls Club with adopting a 100% tobacco free environment policy. Free signage was provided to both the Chamber and Mosaic Arena to help convey their new policy to attendees, and we are currently working with our Boys & Girls Club to provide them with signage as well.
“The impact of this type of policy is incredible,” said Jodie DeLoach, Community Health Advocate for QuitDoc Foundation. “These organizations have gone above and beyond to not only reduce the social norm of tobacco use in our rural community, but also protect the health and wellness of the thousands of people that attend their events.”
The Tobacco Free Partnership is hoping to lead the DeSoto County Fairgrounds in this same direction in the near future. The annual DeSoto County Fair attracts hundreds of community members each year, most of which are children and youth. Big Tobacco fiercely targets these young people hoping to create lifelong tobacco users. Between flavored tobacco products and the popularity of juuling, our youth are at a substantially high risk of experimenting and picking up a lifelong habit. Therefore, creating environments free of toxic exposure and influence is crucial in fighting this battle and tobacco free events/venues are a priceless effort to help curb the appeal.
Why else should we promote Tobacco Free Event and Venue policies? It requires less clean-up of litter and debris from smoking and lowers the risk of fire or other damages caused by cigarettes. Tobacco Free Events and Venues can also attract a broader audience and increase overall attendance. By choosing to make your event Tobacco Free, you are sending the message that the health and safety of your participants is of utmost importance.
Creating a Tobacco Free policy for your event or venue does not have to be complicated. QuitDoc Foundation, along with the Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County can help with policy initiation, guidance, and additional support needed. Please feel free to reach out with any interest or questionsto Jodie DeLoach at jdeloach@quitdoc.com.
