The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution to ban the sale of candy-flavored tobacco Tuesday.
“We were very pleased with the outcome at last night’s meeting," said Alliree Gordon, health educator in the tobacco program with the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa (FDOH-Okaloosa). "Not only were the commissioners in full support of what Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) was proposing, but the citizens in attendance at the meeting also expressed their full support to SWAT and the banning of flavored tobacco.”
Okaloosa County now joins surrounding counties that already have resolutions in place. The resolution urges tobacco retailers to stop selling the flavored tobacco. This is a positive step in educating our community about the harmful effects of candy flavored tobacco on our youth. The proposal efforts by SWAT leadership were fully supported by the FDOH-Okaloosa.
SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco to move toward a tobacco-free future.
There are many opportunities to encourage and promote positive health behaviors in order to reduce tobacco usage. To access the Florida Quitline, call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW, or visit www.TobaccoFreeFlorida.com for more information.