OKEECHOBEE — Tobacco Free Florida in Okeechobee County congratulates the County School Board for taking significant steps toward protecting all students, faculty, staff, and visitors by adopting stronger tobacco free school policies. These updated policies help ensure a healthier learning environment by addressing the use of traditional tobacco products, as well as new and emerging nicotine delivery systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

According to the annual Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, the increase in youth e-cigarette use has slowed, however 10.4% of high schoolers are still using e-cigarettes. The U.S. Surgeon General and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have both been vocal in expressing concern about youth e-cigarette use, declaring it a national epidemic. Despite legislative changes and FDA actions, popular brands of new disposable e-cigarettes such as Puff Bar and HQD (Cuvie) continue to entice children with flavors like “Blue Razz” and bubblegum.

“We commend the Okeechobee County School Board for recognizing the need to update and enhance their tobacco free policies,” said Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County Tobacco Program Manager. “These changes demonstrate a commitment to protecting students from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine addiction, ensuring that schools remain a safe and healthy environment for learning.”

Local organizations, including Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and other community-based groups are available in every county to help school districts review tobacco free school policies to ensure alignment with current best practices and support implementation efforts for maximum effectiveness. These include working to prioritize protecting people from secondhand smoke/vapor exposure, counteracting influence from the industry, increasing access to cessation resources, and allowing for a supportive, cessation-focused approach to discipline. Tobacco Free Florida is dedicated to keeping these standards for comprehensive tobacco free school policies up to date, helping address threats to today’s school-aged children.

Across the state, Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida provides free tools and services for Floridians 18 years of age or older who are considering quitting. The Quit Your Way program offers Phone Quit and Web Quit options. Group Quit classes are also available for every county in Florida in-person or virtually and all tools and services provide free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum and lozenges where medically appropriate.

Services can also be access by calling the toll-free number 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669) at any time.

For more information on how you can help prevent youth from using tobacco and e-cigarettes in your schools, contact your local tobacco prevention program at TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/get-involved.