Tobacco Free St. Johns is a community-wide, locally organized group collectively working towards eliminating initiation and use of tobacco and alternative nicotine products among St. Johns County residents, supporting tobacco policy change and educating decision makers about the impact of tobacco use and nicotine addiction on the lives of St. Johns County residents and visitors.
Tobacco Free St. Johns is an action-oriented partnership generally meets every other month on the third Tuesday from 11:00am - 12:00pm. Membership is open to any St. Johns County citizen or organization that supports the goals of this partnership. To be included on the mailing list, please contact us!
2023/2024 Meeting Dates:
All meetings will be held at the HHS Kingfisher Conference Room
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
- Youth Vaping
Youth tobacco use remains a major problem in St. Johns County. Findings from the 2020 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey highlight that approximately one in three (33%) youth aged 11-17 in our county report trying a tobacco product. Vaping is the leading form of youth tobacco use, with one in six (17%) youth in our county reporting they currently vape. The proportion who reported currently using a tobacco product increased from 14% in 2014 to 18.5% in 2020. This trend was driven by an increase in e-cigarette use. In addition, the majority (70%) of local youth report being exposed to secondhand smoke from cigarettes or vapor from e-cigarettes (Source: Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 2020).
YOUTH VAPING ALERT
WHAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO KNOW
ALL pod-based vaping devices contain high amounts of nicotine. These products are addictive to youth brains. One in four teens that vape begin to use traditional tobacco within one year.
YOUTH VAPING ALERT
WHAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO KNOW
Our biggest concern with pod-based systems among young people is that they deliver (at the very least) the same amount of nicotine that is found in a pack of cigarettes. ALLsalt-based e-juice/liquid contains nicotine!
Nicotine is highly addictive. Nicotine is harmful to the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, and more.
Are you an educator? Here's FREE curriculum to incorporate into your classes.
YOUTH VAPING ALERT
WHAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO KNOW
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued information on this issue. They have many resources for parents and educators to help prevent a generation of children suffer from a lifetime of addiction.
Programs & Information
Could we help? Here's our service request form
Juvenile Tobacco Citation Education Class
Compliance Information
Persons under the age of 18 caught in possession, use or purchase of tobacco or nicotine products are committing a noncriminal violation. Minors will be issued a citation by law enforcement, punishable by:
1st Violation: Pay $30 fine, or complete 16 hours of community service, AND attend the approved anti-tobacco education class within 30 days.
2nd Violation within 12 weeks: Pay additional $30 fine within 30 days.
3rd Violation within 12 weeks: Driver’s license revoked or issuance withheld.If your child received a tobacco citation, click here for the information brochure. The required education class is taught by EPIC Behavioral Healthcare.
If your child needs to complete the Tobacco Citation Education Class, you must visit www.epicbh.org/tobacco to register.
Cessation
Quit YOUR Way with Tobacco Free Florida
We know quitting can be very hard, but it’s not impossible. In fact, there are more former smokers than current smokers in Florida. With the right help, resources, and the support to keep you going, Tobacco Free Florida can give you the best chance to quit for good. For each person, overcoming nicotine addiction is different and we can help you choose a path to quitting that works for you.
Tobacco Free Florida offers a number of free and convenient resources to help tobacco users quit. Click here for more information.
Youth Advocacy: SWAT
Empowering Florida's Teens
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.
Youth in SWAT are engaged in activities that educate their peers and policy makers about the need to change social norms related to tobacco. SWAT not only promotes leadership, but also helps develop speaking skills and creates opportunities for youth to grow as community advocates. On a local level, SWAT members participate in leadership workshops, local parades, commercial contests, art contests, writing contests, and various other anti-tobacco programming. Students participate in local events such as: Relay for Life, carnivals, community wellness events, parades, leadership retreats, youth rallies, & peer education activities.
To learn more about the Florida SWAT program, visit www.swatflorida.com. If you are interested in learning how to join the St. Johns County SWAT Chapter, please email our Community Engagement Specialist, Jacqueline Rush at jacqueline@civcom.com.
Tobacco-Free Colleges
Protecting Young Adults
While smoking is banned inside buildings, not all school campuses in Florida have comprehensive policies that restrict smoking and the use of other tobacco products on all of their properties or at their events. Comprehensive tobacco-free campus policies are an important step in building a healthier future. These policies create a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, and staff, while sending a clear message that tobacco use is dangerous and that it’s not a socially acceptable behavior. De-normalizing tobacco use through positive role modeling is one important step. If students don’t see adults at their schools using tobacco, then they’ll be less likely to think tobacco is acceptable and will be less likely to ever start.
Tobacco-Free Outdoor Spaces
Protecting Kids & the Environment
Not only do tobacco products devastate the human body, they cause havoc on the environment–ending up in our waterways, along beaches and in our parks. Cigarette butts account for an extraordinary amount of waste. An estimated 1.69 billion pounds, or 845,000 tons, of cigarette butts accumulate as litter in lakes, in oceans, on beaches and on the rest of the planet annually. Only 10 percent of cigarette butts are properly deposited in ash receptacles. In fact, cigarettes and cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world. Tobacco Free St. Johns and SWAT members volunteer to clean-up local beaches and parks to bring awareness to the environmental impact of tobacco product litter. By educating community members about secondhand smoke and environmental issues of tobacco, we hope that more tobacco users will reconsider using tobacco in parks, playgrounds and beaches.
Tobacco-Free Workplaces
Healthy Employees for a Healthier Bottomline
We assist employers in developing tobacco-free workplace policies. Creating a tobacco-free workplace not only provides a healthier environment for all employees, but also a supportive environment for employees who are in the process of quitting. Tobacco-free workplaces also protect customers and clients from secondhand smoke exposure and reduce tobacco product litter.
Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing
Limiting Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
We work with local apartment and condo communities to identify and implement smoke-free policy strategies that can create healthier environments for their residents–and a healthier bottom line for the landlord. Smoke-free apartments are less expensive to rehabilitate for new renters and some insurance companies provide discounts for smoke-free property policies.
Learn more about the Florida Apartment Association's smoke-free housing certification program here.
Local Events
Stay current on all of our events around St. Johns County...
Earth Day Community Clean-Up - Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9AM-11AM
Grab your family and friends and head to Mickler Beach for a Community Clean-Up!
Join TOBACCO FREE ST. JOHNS and help keep our beaches clean!
All supplies are provided. There are even prizes at the completion of the Cleanup! Bring all necessary paperwork if this is for service hours.
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM
LOCATION:
MICKLER BEACH ACCESS PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL
All items needed to participate in the community clean up will be provided including gloves, buckets, and paper-bags . Please keep in mind that this is an outside event and that it will most likely be hot, so please bring your own reusable water bottle. You do not have to sign up prior to the event. We ask that you arrive a little early to sign up in person. We just ask that you share the word and invite your friends and family.View more details...
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action - April 1, 2024
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action’ is today, April 1st. Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action gives youth the opportunity to take a stand against the tobacco industry and denounce the addictive and destructive nature of their products. The tobacco industry’s growing popularity of addictive nicotine products put Florida’s youth at risk. Organized by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the observance also helps youth reach out and educate their communities.View more details...
Brave Summit -Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 3pm-8pm
We are pleased to announce that we will be back for the 4th annual BRAVE Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at The St. Augustine Amphitheater. The Summit aims to open a dialogue with teens and address the stigma associated with mental health while encouraging teens to learn how to foster mental wellness.
With more than 1,000 attendees last year, we hope to make an even bigger impact on young people this year. This will be a FREE, LIVE event accessible to all high school students across Florida.
Sign Up Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brave-summit-2024-tickets-732849381227View more details...
National Through With Chew Week - February 18-24, 2024
National Through with Chew Week is a week-long tobacco-free event, dedicated to stopping the use of smokeless tobacco. We will be at Creekside High School and St. Augustine High School celebrating the week with our SWAT Clubs.View more details...
Endless Summer 10K & 5K Run/Walk - November 18th, 2023
We excited to announce we are a proud sponsor of these two great runs. Both runs are presented by Don's Friends and benefit two Great Charities...Don's FRIENDS and Friends of Anastasia. The Event is hosted by Anastasia State Park, which is a BEAUTIFUL Ocean Front State Park located in St. Augustine, Florida........Over 4 Miles of PRISTINE Ocean Front Beach. BOTH runs have sold out IN ADVANCE, 9 YEARS IN A ROW. Hundreds are disappointed each year after both runs sell out. Get your tickets before they sale out at: https://www.donsfriend.com/run-infoView more details...
National Red Ribbon Week - October 23-31, 2023
Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through 31st. Join us in our MISSION to help keep kids drug-free. This we were able to visit 6 different public schools in St. johns County including Creekside High School, Pedro Menendez High School, RJ Murray Middle School, St. Augustine High School, St. Johns Technical High School, and Tocoi Creek High School.
View more details...
Not A Lab Rat Day - October 18, 2023
Not A Lab Rat Day is a statewide initiative that empowers youth to stand up and declare that they refuse to be the tobacco and e-cigarette industry's “lab rats” as we wait and see the long-term health effects of vaping.View more details...
World No Tobacco Day - May 31, 2023
What is World No Tobacco Day?
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world on May 31. This annual event helps raise awareness about the impact of tobacco, predatory practices used by tobacco and vape companies, and actions communities are taking to protect future generations.
Tobacco causes addiction, disease, and death.
-Tobacco use starts young and easily turns into a lifelong addiction. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first tried smoking by age 18.
-Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death and disease. It is associated with cancer, heart disease, lung diseases, drug use, and pregnancy complications. Nicotine harms parts of the brain that support learning & mental health.
Tobacco use is a widespread problem.
-Across Florida, 1 in 7 youth ages 11-17 vapes or uses another toxic tobacco product, and 1 in 7 adults smoke.
-Though there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, the majority (59%) of Florida youth report being exposed.
-Each year, tobacco and vape companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars marketing their products in Florida.View more details...
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action - March 31, 2023
What is the Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action?
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up, and seize control against Big Tobacco. This event is organized by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Generally this event happens in late March or early April.
We have a youth vaping crisis.
-Vape products are reversing years of progress made toward preventing nicotine addiction in youth.
-Each year, tobacco and vape companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars marketing their products in Florida.
-Due to preemptive state policies, Florida cities and counties no longer have the authority to implement policies that protect children and improve public health, such a tobacco retail licensing or bans on the marketing and sale of flavored nicotine products that appeal to youth.
-Every young person deserves a fair chance at a healthy future—free from nicotine addiction.
-Live Vape Free is a free service for teens (13-17) who want to quit. It offers text support & coaching. To sign up, text VAPEFREE to 873373.
Resources:
Visit takedowntobacco.org.View more details...
National Prevention Week May 7-13, 2023
National Prevention Week, held in May, is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. This year marks the formation of the St Johns County Prevention Week Planning Committee bringing together organizations such as Tobacco Free St. Johns, Prevention Coalition of St Johns County, The Hanley Foundation, National Guard DDRO, and Epic Behavioral Health. Updates on the week’s events and daily themes to be presented in SJC Schools coming soon. For more information: https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-weekView more details...
Earth Day - April 22, 2023 from 9AM-11AM
Grab your family and friends and head to North Beach Park for a Public Beach Clean-Up!
Join TOBACCO FREE ST. JOHNS and help keep our beaches clean!
All supplies are provided. There are even prizes at the completion of the Cleanup! Bring all necessary paperwork if this is for service hours.
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023
Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM
LOCATION:
North Beach Park
3721 Coastal Hwy
St. Augustine, FL 32084
All items needed to participate in the community clean up will be provided including gloves, buckets, and paper-bags . Please keep in mind that this is an outside event and that it will most likely be hot, so please bring your own reusable water bottle. You do not have to sign up prior to the event. We ask that you arrive a little early to sign up in person. We just ask that you share the word and invite your friends and family.
Follow this link to sign up for the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-day-beach-clean-up-tickets-601635527057
Brave Summit - March 28, 2023 from 3pm-7pm
We had such an amazing time at the Brave Summit. We can't wait until next year!
The Brave Summit provided a safe place to talk to other high school students in the area about mental health and how to breakdown stigma and normalize conversations about mental health 365 days a year.
The Summit featured some of today's most captivating speakers, artists, and content creators to hold panels, group discussions, and talks all focused on taking charge of your mental health. We heard from some of TikToks most popular mental health advocates and jam to some live music from local artists like King Peach, Kelp, and DJ Gexella.View more details...Summer 2024 Internship
Tobacco Free St. Johns is seeking a Flagler College or University of North Florida student to serve as a Health Policy Communications Intern. This position will contribute to a variety of local initiatives designed to prevent addiction and save lives.
The intern will serve as policy communication campaign assistant for a variety of projects including work with our SWAT Clubs; research and write articles on tobacco prevention and control topics; implement tobacco-free partnership community communications plan; provide input to management team on young adult initiative goal area strategy plans in St. Johns County. Additionally, this position will be responsible for researching funding opportunities and preparing grants. This is a great opportunity for a communications, sociology or environmental studies student interested in Northeast Florida public health issues.
Members
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