News and Events

SWAT Students Give Back to the Community During Literacy Week
February 24, 2025

The SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club in DeSoto County is more than just a student organization—it’s a movement dedicated to creating a healthier future for our community. While the club’s primary mission is to educate about the dangers of tobacco and vaping, its impact reaches far beyond advocacy. Through volunteerism and community service, SWAT members are giving back and making a lasting difference.

 Recently, SWAT Club members have been actively involved in various service projects, from cleaning up local parks to participating in food drives and supporting community events. Their efforts not only help improve the environment and assist those in need but also inspire others to take an active role in bettering DeSoto County. During West Elementary’s Family Literacy Night, SWAT youth volunteered their time to serve food to families attending the event, reinforcing their commitment to service and leadership.

Family Literacy Night, an annual event promoting the importance of reading and education, brought together students, parents, and educators for an evening of fun and learning. SWAT students played a key role in ensuring families enjoyed a warm meal while engaging in literacy activities. Their participation showed the power of youth involvement and the impact of students leading by example. Read More
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Unveiling the Hidden Dangers: Tobacco-Free Fair and Parent Awareness Effort
February 01, 2025

The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County continues its commitment to reducing tobacco use and exposure in the community. This year marked the second year of the DeSoto County Fair operating under its Tobacco-Free Policy, reinforcing a healthier, smoke-free environment for all attendees. To further support this initiative, the Partnership, in collaboration with Drug Free DeSoto, introduced the Hidden in Plain Sight trailer in the exhibit hall, providing parents with an eye-opening educational experience.

The interactive exhibit gave parents insight into the creative and often surprising ways youth may conceal tobacco products, particularly electronic vaping devices. From disguised vape pens to ordinary objects with hidden compartments, the exhibit highlighted the tobacco industry's relentless efforts to appeal to youth. Parents who toured the trailer gained valuable knowledge on the risks their children face and how to recognize potential warning signs.

The presence of the Hidden in Plain Sight trailer at the fair aligned perfectly with the ongoing efforts to create tobacco-free environments. The DeSoto County Fair Board of Directors has taken significant steps to protect community health by maintaining a tobacco-free fairground. With thousands of attendees each year, this policy not only reduces secondhand smoke exposure but also helps to change the social norm around tobacco use, particularly among youth. Signage, provided by the Tobacco Free Partnership, reinforces the tobacco-free policy by clearly designating restricted areas throughout the fairgrounds.

During the fair, Tobacco Free Partnership members and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) volunteers were available to answer questions and educate attendees on the dangers of tobacco use. These efforts are crucial in combating the growing vaping epidemic among teens and ensuring that families have the resources to make informed decisions about tobacco and nicotine use. Read More
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Unveiling the Hidden Dangers: Local Efforts to Combat Tobacco Use Among Youth
December 4, 2024

The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County, in partnership with Drug Free DeSoto, recently showcased its Hidden in Plain Sight trailer, offering an eye-opening experience for parents. The interactive exhibit demonstrated the creative and often surprising ways youth may conceal tobacco products, including electronic vaping devices.

Parents who toured the trailer gained valuable insight into the risks their children face and how to recognize potential warning signs. From disguised vape pens to ordinary objects with hidden compartments, the exhibit highlighted the tobacco industry’s relentless efforts to appeal to youth.

The Hidden in Plain Sight trailer serves as a powerful tool to raise awareness and spark conversations between parents and their children about the dangers of tobacco and vaping. As vaping continues to rise among teens nationwide, initiatives like this are crucial in empowering families to make informed decisions and stand against the tobacco industry's influence. Read More

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DeSoto SWAT Chapter Advocates Against Vaping on “Not-a-Lab Rat Day”
October 16, 2024

On October 16,2024, the DeSoto Chapter of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) joined schools and communities across the nation to observe “Not-a-Lab Rat Day,” a youth-led campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarette use.

Gathering at Memorial and Arcadia Christian Academy, students from the SWAT Chapter dressed as mad scientists, made announcements at their schools and passed out stickers with the message to call out tobacco industry marketing tactics against our youth.  The day aimed to empower students to make informed decisions about their health and reject harmful products marketed toward young people.

Vaping has emerged as a significant health crisis, especially among teenagers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report an alarming rise in nicotine addiction and health complications linked to e-cigarettes. DeSoto SWAT emphasized that despite being marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, vaping products often contain harmful chemicals that can lead to lung injury, addiction, and other health risks. Read More

 

SWAT Youth and Community Join Forces for Park Clean-Up to Tackle Tobacco Litter
September 21, 2024

SWAT (Students working against Tobacco) and community members acted against tobacco waste by organizing a park clean-up day at McSwain Park on September 21, 2024. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the environmental impact of tobacco products and promote a cleaner, healthier community.

The event focused on removing cigarette butts, vape cartridges, and other tobacco-related litter from the park. Our youth want to make a difference in our community and show how harmful tobacco waste can be to our environment. Cigarette butts and vape cartridges are the most littered items in the world, and they take years to decompose. SWAT Youth and community members gathered over 15 lbs. of litter. It is crucial to address this issue locally.

The initiative has garnered support from local businesses and organizations, including the Arcadia City Police Department and the Drug-Free Coalition, who also provided resources and volunteers for the event. “We hope this event will inspire others to think twice before littering and to consider the broader impact of their actions.”

The SWAT Youth plan to continue their anti-tobacco efforts throughout the school year with additional clean-up events and educational campaigns. They are committed to making DeSoto County a cleaner, healthier place for everyone.

For more information on SWAT or if your child would like to join contact Lindsey Sager at lsager@quitdoc.com

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Jodie DeLoach Selected as 2024 DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce Rising Star
September 8, 2024

The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County is thrilled to announce that our very own Tobacco Program Manager, Jodie DeLoach, has been named the 2024 DeSoto County Chamber Rising Star. This prestigious recognition celebrates Jodie's unwavering dedication to public health and her leadership in tobacco prevention and community wellness initiatives.


Thank you to Oralia Ramirez with RMZ Realty for sponsoring the 2024 Rising Star Award.
Oralia has served as a Tobacco Free Partnership Board Member for the past 3 years.
Pictured with Jodie DeLoach, Tobacco Program Manager and 2024 Rising Star Recipient.

Jodie’s work as Tobacco Program Manager, a role she has held since 2016, has been pivotal in creating a healthier DeSoto County. Through her efforts, the Tobacco Free Partnership has developed impactful educational programs that empower our youth to resist tobacco use, linked local businesses to effective tobacco-free workplace policies, and helped countless residents access resources to quit tobacco. Read More

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Recognizing Excellence in Tobacco Education and Prevention
May 29, 2024

As we reflect on the past year, the Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County is proud to recognize the outstanding dedication and achievements of our Member of the Year, Oralia Ramirez. Oralia's unwavering commitment to tobacco education and prevention has significantly advanced our mission of creating a healthier, tobacco-free community.

Oralia Ramirez: A Pillar of Support and Advocacy

Oralia Ramirez has been a member of our Partnership for the past few years, serving as an active board member for the past two. Despite being a business owner, mom of two, and playing an active role serving our community in many ways, Oralia has consistently dedicated her time and efforts to our anti-tobacco initiatives. Our goal is to ensure the safety of all DeSoto County residents, especially our youth, and Oralia has been an invaluable part of our success. Her exceptional leadership and passion for community service have made a lasting impact on our program.

Oralia has been instrumental in spearheading several key projects aimed at reducing tobacco use and educating the public about its dangers. Her work includes community outreach and education, particularly her dedication to organizing and hosting a Suncoast Remake Learning Day event in partnership with our Tobacco Free Partnership and Drug Free Coalition. This event alone reached over a hundred residents with crucial information about the harmful effects of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting. Oralia also played a pivotal role in our efforts to implement policy changes within our City and County-owned parks. Her advocacy helped secure new legislation aimed at creating smoke-free environments, making our community safer for all residents. Read More

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Empowering Change: No Menthol Sunday
May 19, 2024

Menthol in tobacco products can make it easier to start smoking and harder to quit, posing significant health risks. In our ongoing mission to raise awareness about the dangers of menthol in tobacco, DeSoto County Tobacco Free Partnership members joined forces with All Faiths Food Bank to participate in No Menthol Sunday.

No Menthol Sunday, a national observance, focuses on engaging specific populations around the benefits of eliminating menthol from tobacco products, particularly within African American communities, where menthol use is disproportionately high.

Our Partnership Members dedicated their day to unloading and organizing food from delivery trucks, packing boxes for distribution, and adding informational flyers about the benefits of eliminating menthol from tobacco use and TFP Branded Chip Clips to every box.

"It is always a pleasure to partner with All Faith’s Food Bank, an incredible organization that serves hundreds of families in our community," said Jodie DeLoach, Tobacco Program Manager. "This collaboration enabled us to volunteer for a great cause while also disseminating valuable information to our residents." Read More

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Students Working Against Tobacco in DeSoto County Celebrate a Year of Success
April 24, 2024

In order to recognize our efforts to educate and prevent tobacco use and social norms within our community, Tobacco Free Partnership Members and Students Working Against Tobacco Youth gathered on April 22, 2024, to carry out our Remake Learning Day and celebrate a year of prevention work. In addition to celebrating a year of hard work, a special club and advisor were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution towards a tobacco free future in DeSoto County.

Nocatee SWAT Club was recognized as our 23-23 SWAT Club of the Year. Their leadership and willingness to help has been invaluable. They have put in countless hours of volunteer work and have shown an outstanding dedication towards creating a tobacco-free future. They helped plan a school wide campaign in honor of Not a Lab Rat and Kick Butts Day. They volunteered at various community events throughout the school year as well. Rene Barnard was their SWAT Advisor and with her creative genius their club thrived during the 2023-2024 year.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Nocatee SWAT Club and Rene Barnard! We sincerely appreciate your hard work and dedication to the Tobacco-Free Partnership of DeSoto County and DeSoto County SWAT Chapter.

If you have any questions about our SWAT Program or a child that would like to join please contact Lindsey Sager lsager@quitdoc.com.

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SWAT Youth Advocating For Change in DeSoto County
March 11, 2024

In the ongoing battle against tobacco, a new force is emerging: students. Driven by a desire for change and armed with passion, young people are stepping up to advocate against tobacco use in their communities. These students are making their voices heard and pushing for a healthier future.

  One of the most inspiring aspects of this movement is the diversity of tactics being employed. Some students are spreading awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and equipping their peers with the knowledge to resist its allure. Others are leveraging social media platforms to amplify their message and reach a wider audience, using hashtags and viral challenges to spark conversations about tobacco control. While some students are taking it a step further and helping to educate their community members and asking local officials for policy change.    

The impact of student-led initiatives in the fight against tobacco cannot be overstated. By harnessing the energy and creativity of young people, we are not only addressing the immediate threats posed by tobacco use but also laying the groundwork for a healthier and tobacco-free future.

Our DeSoto SWAT Chapter had an eventful last few months ranging from speaking at the Arcadia City Council meeting to ask the council members to pass the ordinance to make our parks tobacco free, educating community members at the DeSoto County Fair, participating in “Through With Chew Week” and “Take Down Tobacco Day.” In addition to all those activities we also had one SWAT member speak up in her school and advocate to the principal about how to better enforce the tobacco policy in the local schools. Read More      

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DeSoto County Fair Adopts Tobacco Free Policy
March 1, 2024

DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA – The DeSoto County Fair Board of Directors is taking extreme measures to make the fairgrounds as safe as possible. One of which, by implementing a Tobacco Free Policy.

For the past few years, creating a safer environment by pushing for more tobacco-free events/venues in DeSoto County has been at the forefront of our local tobacco program’s focus. In fact, the Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County has successfully helped implement several policies, with large impacts on our community including but not limited to DeSoto County School District, DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce, Mosaic Arena, DeSoto County Parks, Saturday Night Lights, and our most recent, City of Arcadia Parks.

Tobacco Free Events send a very important message: that the community’s health and well-being are a priority. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to non-smokers, especially children, elderly individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions. These anti-tobacco environments allow attendees to enjoy an event without the worry of being exposed smoke or vapor, provide an environment that shows youth tobacco use is not the norm, and supports those that have made the difficult decision to quit tobacco.

Additionally, implementing a tobacco-free policy aligns with the broader public health goals of reducing tobacco use and its associated health risks. It sends a clear message about the importance of creating smoke-free spaces and encourages a culture of wellness.

Fairgrounds are often family-friendly environments, and a tobacco-free policy contributes to a more family-oriented atmosphere. With several events happening at the Fairgrounds throughout the year, bringing in thousands of attendees, the DeSoto County Fair Association Board of Directors felt that adopting the policy was a logical first step to show that protecting DeSoto County residents is a community effort. It sets a positive example for young attendees and creates a more inclusive space for people of all ages. This policy also contributes to environmental benefits by reducing litter associated with tobacco products. Cigarette butts are a significant source of litter, and by eliminating smoking on fairgrounds, we contribute to keeping the environment cleaner and safer for everyone.

Heather Fugate, Board Chair, helps place tobacco free signage around the fairgrounds. Twenty-five signs were provided to the DeSoto County Fair Association on behalf of our local Tobacco Free Partnership.  

New signage, provided by the DeSoto County Tobacco Free Partnership, was posted to designate the grounds tobacco-free. The policy states that no smoking areas/zones are designated as follows:

All fair entrances.

Kiddie carnival area.

Covered grandstands.
Livestock barns and surrounding barn and show ring areas.

Within 20 feet of all buildings.

Within 20 feet of Gazebo Stage area.

Within 20 feet of food and drink vendors.

Entire walkway between the main gate and around the midway. Read More

    

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Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Fights for Tobacco Free Parks
December 6, 2023

One of the main goals of our local TFP is to break the social norms of tobacco use in our rural community and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cigarette vapor, by creating more tobacco free public spaces.

In July of 2022, Governor DeSantis passed a new bill “The clean air act” which gave cities and counties the authority to further restrict vaping and tobacco use in parks and beaches.

According to the 2022 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 42.9% of DeSoto County youth reported being exposed to secondhand smoke from vaping or cigarettes. Nearly 50%. Alarming. 

Our local decision makers play a vital role in addressing this public health epidemic by helping us reduce exposure in our community. Establishing a tobacco free parks ordinance helps make parks more attractive to families, provide all visitors with clean, breathable air, and certainly help reduce the social norms of tobacco use in our rural community.


Tobacco Free Partnership Board Chair Heather Fugate and Vice Chair Major Andrew Proudfit addressed the Arcadia City Council on December 5th and asked that they please convert the City’s Tobacco Free Resolution to an Ordinance. 

As part of our efforts, Board Chair - Heather Fugate and Vice Chair - Major Andrew Proudfit addressed the Arcadia City Council on December 5th and asked that they please do their part to lower the likelihood of another generation becoming addicted to tobacco by converting the City’s Tobacco Resolution to an Ordinance.  (Read More)

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Students Working Against Tobacco Representing DeSoto County
November 4, 2023

Our DeSoto SWAT students have been busy at work educating the community and their youth on the dangers of tobacco use and how it can harm our bodies. Each club has been busy participating in many events throughout the county and representing our chapter well.


All clubs participated in our yearly initiative “Not A Lab Rat Day,” this day is set aside for youth to stand up to big tobacco and let them know that they will not stand to be tested on and influenced by the products that are sold. On Halloween our Nocatee and DeSoto High Clubs held a trunk or treat and gave information out on vaping and tobacco. The Arcadia Christian Academy Club spoke to the Board of County Commissioners for Red Ribbon Week and were able to accept the proclamation for our county.

On November 4th, two of our SWAT youth from the Arcadia Christian Academy attended the regional SWAT meeting that was held in Auburndale, FL. We appreciate Jude Sager and Bentley Hughes for taking time out of their weekend to represent our county at the meeting. Jude and Bentley enjoyed the training and being able to collaborate with other SWAT members from different counties to get ideas for our SWAT clubs.

We are so very proud of our youth and the initiative they are putting forth to advocate for their health and a tobacco free future in DeSoto County. Quarter two was a huge success and we look forward to what the New Year has in store.

      

If you are interested in volunteering with our SWAT Youth, have a child that would like to join the club or would like more information, please contact Lindsey Sager at lsager@quitdoc.com

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Seeks New Members
September 22, 2023

The mission of the Tobacco-Free Partnership of DeSoto County is to mobilize community partners to establish long-lasting system and policy changes that promote tobacco-free social norms to prevent usage of tobacco products by youth/young adults, encourage and support tobacco cessation, eliminate health hazards of secondhand smoke, and decrease the number of deaths due to tobacco products.

Our local efforts are crucial in protecting people, especially youth, from the hazards of using and being exposed to tobacco products. In fact, we had several big wins last fiscal year. Among many things, our TFP and SWAT Youth members were able to convince DeSoto County BOCC to adopt a Tobacco Free Parks Ordinance, and assist the Saturday Night Lights Committee, an event that brings in hundreds of community members, implement a 100% tobacco free events policy. As a thank you to these organizations for taking the health of others serious, our TFP provided signage free of cost to help bring attention to, and enforce, their policy(s).

This fiscal year, our members are looking forward to continuing our efforts and we’d love for you to join us as we strive to:  

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The DeSoto County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter is Making Plans for the 2023-2024 School Year!
September 7, 2023

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco-free future.

Our DeSoto SWAT kicked off the 2023-2024 school year with booths at Open House Night in August. The booths were held at Nocatee Elementary, DeSoto Middle and DeSoto High School.  We are excited for our newest SWAT Club that will be held at Nocatee Elementary. During the open house they were able to recruit 12 new members for the SWAT chapter and educate them on the importance of keeping tobacco out of our schools. We are beyond proud that our numbers are continuing to rise in our local SWAT chapter.


New SWAT members at Nocatee Elementary pictured above.

Another big initiative that our SWAT youth have been working on is promoting our free tobacco education course. The course is provided through Palm Beach County and is free of charge to us. The goal of this course is to educate those students on what is in tobacco and how harmful it is to their bodies and future. DeSoto Middle School has had great success in piloting the course. The course is now written into the Student Code of Conduct and will be used as a first offense if a student is caught with tobacco/vaping. The course is used in place of ISS or OSS for the students as losing valuable class time is what we want to stop from happening. Read More

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Hosts its Annual Awards Celebration!
April 26, 2023

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”
– Steve Jobs

On April 26th, Tobacco Free Partnership Members and Students Working Against Tobacco Youth gathered to recognize their prevention efforts in DeSoto County. In addition to celebrating a year of hard work, a few special members were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution towards a tobacco free future in our community.


Jodie DeLoach – Tobacco Program Manager, and Heather Fugate – Tobacco Free Partnership Board President and 2022-2023 TFP Member of the Year

Heather Fugate was chosen as our 22-23 Tobacco Free Partnership Member of the Year. Heather is employed by Drug Free DeSoto and the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce. She has been active in our Partnership the past several years but stepped up as our Board President this year. In addition to being a busy mom of two young boys, and her active role serving our community, Heather never once turned down the opportunity to volunteer her time and efforts in the anti-tobacco realm. We have been working tirelessly to implement policy changes in our local community, specifically within our City and County owned parks, due to changes in legislation. Our goal is to make our community as safe as possible on all levels, for all DeSoto County residents, and Heather has truly been an invaluable part of our success. We are extremely appreciative of everything she has done to help get us to this point. She certainly has a heart for our community, and we are proud to have Heather serve as a vital member of our tobacco free partnership.


Jasmine O’Neal - DHS SWAT Youth President and 2022-2023 SWAT Youth of the Year,
and Lindsey Sager – Tobacco Prevention Specialist

Jasmine O’Neal, a sophomore at DeSoto County High School, was recognized as our 22-23 SWAT Youth of the Year. Her leadership and willingness to help has been invaluable. She has put in countless hours of volunteer work and has shown an outstanding dedication towards creating a tobacco-free future. In addition to being the DHS SWAT Club president, Jasmine was also a member of the Drama Club, SADD Club, and Student Union at DHS. She volunteered at various community events and helped plan school wide campaigns in honor of Not a Lab Rat Day, Red Ribbon Week, and Take Down Tobacco Day. Jasmine has been a major asset to our SWAT Youth Program, and we are excited to see what she, alongside her SWAT peers, accomplishes with our DeSoto SWAT Chapter next year. Read More

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Citizens and Youth Benefit from Establishment of Tobacco Free Parks
April 25, 2023

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, but it does not have to be. Our local Tobacco Free partnership (TFP) and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) have been hard at work the past several years creating a safer environment for DeSoto County residents by pushing for more tobacco-free policies in our community.

Previously, our hands were somewhat tied when it came to parks and beaches due to Florida preemption laws restricting local governments from regulating smoking. But due to recent changes in Florida State Law, in order to promote and protect the general health, safety, and welfare of all citizens, Counties now have the authority to restrict smoking within the boundaries of any public park and/or beach.


(left to right) BOCC Members Judy Schafer, Elton Langford, Jerod Gross, and Steve Hickox with West SWAT Youth, Riley Shaver and Weslyn Mercer pose in celebration of tobacco and vape free parks in DeSoto County.

There have been major concerns expressed by community members and our youth about the vaping epidemic that has been on the rise. Tobacco Free Partnership Members and Students Working Against Tobacco have presented to the Board of County Commissioners on numerous occasions to educate them on the harmful effects associated with tobacco and to urge them to do their part as community leaders to protect our citizens.

On April 25th, West Elementary SWAT Youth, Riley Shaver and Weslyn Mercer presented to BOCC members again, but this time, bravely asking them to formally adopt the ordinance. We are excited to announce that our local government made a big stride in supporting the health and well-being of our citizens by unanimously approving the ordinance designating DeSoto County Parks as tobacco and vape-free. Read More

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Together, We Can Reduce the Toll of Tobacco Use on Our Community
February 21, 2023

For the past few years, creating a safer environment by pushing for more tobacco-free events and venues in DeSoto County has been at the forefront of our focus. Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, but it does not have to be.

Our Tobacco Free Partnership and SWAT Youth Members set up a booth at the 2023 DeSoto County Fair to raise awareness on the importance of reducing social norms of tobacco use in our rural community and to educate attendees on the dangers associated with tobacco use and secondhand smoke. 

We are working hard to recruit new members, work with local government to implement policy change, and present tobacco education and prevention to our community. SWAT youth created a selfie booth and encouraged youth to join their club and commit to being a non-user. In addition, booth attendees were educated on the effects of secondhand smoke, given information on how smoking is twice the price: cigarettes harm your health and waste your wealth. Quit Your Way program details were shared with users who were encouraged to quit, and attendees were encouraged to support tobacco free spaces. Read More

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DeSoto County SWAT Chapter: Raising Awareness in the Community
January 24, 2023

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco.

SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. SWAT works to change the social norms associated with tobacco. This means we want to change the way people think about tobacco… making it less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

 

SWAT Youth accomplish this by advocating for change in local policies that affect how tobacco is marketed, how it is sold, and where it can be used. SWAT members can typically expect to participate in a wide range of activities including community education and outreach, public speaking, collecting data, and media advocacy. 

On January 24, 2023 our SWAT youth presented to the Board of County Commissioners’ to educate on the 2022 legislation act for “Clean Air.” Legislation has revised this act by giving counites and cities an ordinance to restrict any tobacco products in their county and city parks. SWAT youth, Weslyn Mercer and Rylee Shaver asked the BOCC to take this new legislation act into consideration and add the ordinance to their future agenda. Read More

    

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Saturday Night Lights goes Tobacco Free!
December 13, 2022

Most people today realize the threat tobacco use poses to their health. The serious health risks have been discussed for decades in school health classes, by parents, doctors and prevention experts and programs. While tobacco use continues to decline, we still have at risk communities all over the United States that have much higher usage rates than others.

Research has shown that rural communities like DeSoto County are more heavily affected by tobacco use. In fact, the health of people living in rural areas is impacted by tobacco use more so than those in urban and metropolitan areas, often because of socioeconomic factors such as lower levels of education, and higher levels of unemployment.

In many communities across the State of Florida, the use of tobacco, and exposure to second-hand smoke are accepted as a fact of life, but they don't have to be. Implementing a tobacco free policy helps create a safe and healthy environment for all. The negative health effects of tobacco use for both users and nonusers, particularly in connection with secondhand smoke, are well established and known to cause serious lung diseases, heart disease and cancer.

Saturday Night Lights is in their 6th season of free, family fun. This event(s) is held the second Saturday of the month October through February. The night kicks off with live music, vendors, bounce houses, and more. There is always a local food vendor – these are various groups throughout the community (churches, clubs, or civic organizations) who set up free of cost to the event and keep all their profits. Each month brings a new theme, and they periodically have prize giveaways. At sundown, a family movie (brand new release and age appropriate) is projected in the pavilion at the Tree of Knowledge. Families bring blankets, chairs, etc. and hang the rest of the evening. DeSoto County is a rural community with very little to do, so these events bring in families from diverse populations. Read More

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DeSoto Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members Are Working Hard to Promote the Dangers of Tobacco Use in our Local Parks
November 5, 2022

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into law which could have a major positive impact on Floridians health. The Florida Clean Air Act is an update to an existing law which targets vaping and tobacco smoking in public spaces. Under this new law, local governments are now allowed to restrict smoking at public beaches and public parks which they own. The new law is designed to protect people from secondhand smoke and crack down on the abundance of litter from cigarette butts in recreational spaces.

SWAT Youth have been busy at work educating our community on the dangers of tobacco use and how it can harm users and non-users through secondhand smoke. Although, our small community took a devastating hit from Hurricane Ian and our schools were closed for some time, our students have done a great job being active in the community.

On November 5th, two of our SWAT youth from the new community club attended the regional SWAT meeting that was held in Lakeland, FL. We appreciate Jaliyah Luther and Gracie Sager taking time out of their weekend to represent our county at the meeting and learn more about our new goal area of reducing tobacco use and exposure in Public Spaces. They acquired knowledge and talking points on how to better educate our community in this area. Jaliyah and Gracie enjoyed the training and being able to converse with other SWAT members from different counties to get ideas for our SWAT clubs. Read More

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The DeSoto County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter is Gearing Up for the 2022-2023 School Year!
September 19, 2022

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future.

Our DeSoto SWAT kicked the 2022-23 school year off with a back-to-school drive for the community. Where we were able to contribute school supplies to our district while educating on the rising trend of tobacco and vaping in our youth. Also, our SWAT youth participated in an Open House recruitment booth at the High School. During open house they were able to recruit 15 new members for the SWAT chapter. We are beyond proud that our numbers are continuing to rise in our local SWAT chapter. Desoto High School SWAT members also participated in a Health Fair where they educated on tobacco and vape use in our youth.


We are continuing to work with the DeSoto County School Board to implement a stronger tobacco free policy within our school district. Our SWAT Youth have been present over the summer educating board members on recent data, trends they see in schools, and briefly sharing on the recent updates available to the board via NEOLA, an organization our district is partnered with who provides board policies that secure the quality of teaching and learning and provide direction to enhance the school environment. The suggested NEOLA policy would close the gaps in current policy and create a comprehensive tobacco free environment for DeSoto County Schools. Read More

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Kicks Off
Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Strong
September 14, 2022

The mission of the Tobacco-Free Partnership of DeSoto County is to mobilize community partners to establish long-lasting system and policy changes that promote tobacco-free social norms to prevent usage of tobacco products by youth/young adults, encourage and support tobacco cessation, eliminate health hazards of secondhand smoke, and decrease the number of deaths due to tobacco products.



To protect people, especially youth, from the hazards of using and being exposed to tobacco products, we work on many initiatives here locally. TFP Members gathered on September 7th for our first Partnership meeting of the new fiscal year. We had many key stakeholders in attendance who spent time strategically planning our scope of work over the next year here in DeSoto County.

A few of the SMART goals identified were:

In addition to laying out the focus of our year, TFP Members elected five new board members to represent our Partnership. Our TFP Board of Directors for fiscal year 2022-2023 are: Kandis Drymon, Heather Fugate, Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Proudfit, and Asya Shine.
Read More

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Tobacco-Free Partnership of DeSoto County Celebrates a Year of Success!
May 12, 2022

Tobacco Free Partnership Members and Students Working Against Tobacco Youth gathered on May 12, 2022, to recognize their efforts to educate and prevent tobacco use and social norms within our community. In addition to celebrating a year of hard work, a few special members were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution towards a tobacco free future in DeSoto County.


Adan Morales, DHS SWAT Youth President and 2021-2022 SWAT Youth of the Year,
and Lindsey Sager, DeSoto County Tobacco Prevention Specialist.  

Adan Morales was recognized as our 21-22 SWAT Youth of the Year. His leadership and willingness to help has been invaluable. He has put in countless hours of volunteer work and has shown an outstanding dedication towards creating a tobacco free future. In addition to being the DHS SWAT Club president, Adan was a member of the Interact and SADD Clubs at the high school. Adan helped plan school wide campaigns in honor of Not a Lab Rat and Kick Butts Day. He volunteered at various community events, including but not limited to statewide and regional meetings, Through with Chew Week and Tobacco Free Florida Week festivities. Adan has been a major asset to our SWAT Youth Program and will be missed! Read More

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Celebrates Tobacco Free Florida Week with a Focus on Mental Health
May 8, 2022

Each year, Tobacco Free Florida celebrates Tobacco Free Florida Week - an initiative focusing on a major public health issue connected to tobacco use. This year, Tobacco Free Florida was observed May 8 – 14 and aligned with Mental Health Awareness Month.

Tobacco Free Florida used the theme “Mental Health Equals Mental Wealth: Overcoming the Influences of Tobacco on the Mind.” to address and correct misconceptions, including that tobacco provides an alternative when people feel stressed or anxious. Part of this traces back to decades ago, with tobacco companies marketing heavily to those with mental health issues and promoting myths and falsehoods about supposed health benefits of tobacco use(1).

People with behavioral and mental health conditions are especially susceptible to the effects of tobacco. Nearly 25% of adults in the United States have a mental health or substance use disorder and these adults consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by adults in the U.S.


TFP Members were honored to celebrate TFFW in partnership with All Faith’s Food Bank. Pictured left to right: Asya Shine, Jodie DeLoach, Gracie Sager, Lindsey Sager, Heather Fugate

This year’s theme highlights the fact that tobacco and nicotine use can lead to negative health consequences among individuals with mental and/or behavioral health conditions(2). People with behavioral health conditions die about five years earlier than people without such conditions, and more than 50% of these deaths are from tobacco-related diseases(3).
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Cheap and Visible Tobacco Products Enter Our Community in the Retail Environment
March 8, 2022

The tobacco industry spends most of their marketing money in the retail environment to promote their products, in which, most of their marketing efforts are aimed directly to our kids. Essentially, the tobacco industry is buying shelf and advertising space to keep tobacco visible and offering price discounts to keep tobacco cheap. These companies are no fool, what they are really “buying” is youth who initiate - adults who can’t quit! 

In efforts to combat these marketing tactics, the Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County has been elbow deep in the retail realm of the tobacco industry for years. We have conducted several rounds of tobacco retail assessments from 44+ retailers, nearly every licensed tobacco retailer in DeSoto County.

     

The retail point of sale (POS) is comprised of three main categories: (a) point-of-sale advertisements, (b) price discounts (c) coupons. This is a very comprehensive and lengthy process as the metrics under which retailers are monitored include – types of tobacco products, product placement, pricing promotions, tobacco advertisements, the availability of tobacco ‘lookalike’ products, etc.


This is an example of a tobacco look alike item found at Murphy Gas Station –Jerky Chew. Products such as these are attractive to youth, which increases their likelihood of tobacco initiation in the future.

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DeSoto Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Recognize Through With Chew Week
February 26, 2022

This year, the annual Through With Chew Week was February 20-26, 2022. The objective of the campaign is to educate others about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco is still tobacco and not a safe alternative to smoking. It contains at least 28 cancer causing chemicals that can cause gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Users of smokeless tobacco products have higher risks for tobacco-related diseases than non-tobacco users.

Many smokeless tobacco products come in flavors and packaging that appeal to young people. Candy and fruit flavors mask the bad taste of tobacco, making it easier for youth and teens to start using tobacco. With a new range of products and flavors on the market, there are more opportunities for young people to experiment with tobacco. Adolescent smokeless tobacco users are also more likely than nonusers to become adult cigarette smokers.

Studies have shown that young people are particularly influenced by tobacco use in sports. Professional baseball players, who have traditionally had high levels of smokeless tobacco use, serve as role models. While smokeless tobacco use has been banned in minor league baseball and in the NCAA since the early 1990s, it’s still allowed in the major leagues.
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