Submitted Paige Patterson-Hughes, Public Information Office
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Tobacco Free Florida in Broward County is working to educate the community and increase awareness on the importance of tobacco free organizations and the benefits of hosting tobacco free events.
Tobacco free events prohibit the use of tobacco products during the entire event and on all event grounds by all participants – organizers, volunteers, vendors and attendees. It is important that events are tobacco free to create an environment that protects people from the impacts of secondhand smoke, provides positive role modeling for youth, and supports those who have chosen to quit.
Secondhand exposure is harmful and widespread as children exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, asthma, respiratory symptoms and slowed lung growth. [1],[2] The World Health Organization in 2007 declared that there is indisputable evidence that implementing 100% smoke-free environments is the only way to protect the population from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand smoke.[3]
Tobacco free organizations support our community in many ways. They improve health by providing fewer opportunities for youth to start smoking,[4],[5] and reduce secondhand smoke exposure.[6] These policies also help lower cigarette litter,[7] encourage people to make healthy choices and increase quit attempts.[8],[9],[10]
Tobacco Free Florida in Broward County recognizes some organizations who have hosted events that have gone tobacco free such as the Lexus Corporate Run at FL Live Arena in Sunrise, FL that was held in March. With 4,362 participants from 186 companies in attendance, Lexus has continued to be an exemplary partner in support of hosting tobacco free events.
If you’re interested in these benefits for your organization to become tobacco free and host tobacco free events, Tobacco Free Florida can help. Contact Kianna Talley to learn more, at Kianna.Talley@flhealth.gov.
About Tobacco Free Florida
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 289,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida’s free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs.[11] To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
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