News and Events

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. 

We are happy to report that Councilwoman Judy Wertz-Strickland made a formal request that City Attorney, T.J. Wohl, draft an ordinance to be addressed as an action item on the January 16th agenda.

We are beyond grateful for our state decision makers paving the way to protect the health of our community, particularly our youth, who are so vulnerable and greatly affected by exposure to tobacco, and very much look forward to our local decision makers doing the same.

If you are interested in joining our efforts, we would love your support at the January 16th City Council meeting. The meeting is held at City Hall at 6:00 PM.

If you are interested in joining our Tobacco Free Partnership, or would like more information on adopting a tobacco-free policy, please contact Jodie DeLoach, Tobacco Program Director at jdeloach@quitdoc.com.

  
Tobacco Free Signage, provided by the Tobacco Free Partnership of Desoto County, is now prominently displayed at all County Parks and Recreational Facilities thanks for our BOCC passing a tobacco free parks ordinance in April. We also hope to provide signage and reduce tobacco exposure within our City.