News and Events

Citizens and Youth benefit from Establishment of Tobacco Free Zones
July 1, 2017

ARCADIA, Fla. – Our local government is making big strides in supporting the health and well-being of our citizens by establishing tobacco free zones.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County and DHS SWAT Youth are extremely proud to announce that as of June 6, 2017, all playground areas, picnic areas and youth athletic fields at all City parks and recreation facilities are hereby designated as tobacco-free and vape-free zones.


Pictured left to right: SWAT Advisor, Melissa Mendoza, SWAT Youth - Lauren Wiley, Myha Mendoza, Kylee Adams, Aaliyah Rios, and Tobacco Prevention Specialist - Jodie DeLoach

There have been major concerns expressed from community members, and up until the point of adoption, there was no tobacco policy of any kind in place. SWAT Youth have presented to the City Council on numerous occasions and we are truly grateful to the councilmembers for seeing the importance of protecting our youth.

One of the primary reasons city officials chose to adopt a tobacco free zones policy is the astronomical amount of deaths each year related to smoking. Approximately 480,000 people die early each year from a smoking related illness. Nearly 10% of those deaths are due to secondhand smoke, making it the 3rd leading cause of preventable deaths.*

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Desoto County is working with a local sign shop to provide appropriate signage at all City parks and recreational facilities, designating such areas as tobacco-free zones. Signage will be at no cost to the City.

"This policy has been a work in process and has required diligent effort. In the end, I look forward to celebrating this huge accomplishment by watching our children play in a healthy, clean environment! We are proud of our community and look forward to creating more tobacco free zones within our community." - Jodie DeLoach, DeSoto County TPS 

For more information about adopting a tobacco free policy, visit www-TFP-DeSoto.org or contact JDeLoach@QuitDoc.com

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*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014.

Caption:
Pictured left to right: SWAT Advisor, Melissa Mendoza, SWAT Youth - Lauren Wiley, Myha Mendoza, Kylee Adams, Aaliyah Rios, and Tobacco Prevention Specialist - Jodie DeLoach