Ten years ago, Floridians voted in support of a state constitutional amendment to fund a tobacco education and use prevention program, now known as Tobacco Free Florida. The program has resulted in a significant decrease in smoking rates among adults and teens in the state, according to the Florida Department of Health.
“With voter support, this program was launched a decade ago and Tobacco Free Florida has had a tremendous impact on improving the health of Floridians,” State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip said. “While Tobacco Free Florida is a national leader in tobacco control, there is still more work to be done. The tobacco industry is constantly finding new ways to target vulnerable populations, and more of our youth are experimenting with a range of new options rather than using traditional products such as cigarettes."
In 2006, the smoking rate was flattening and the state was spending billions of dollars on health care costs. Florida was receiving money from its lawsuit settlement with tobacco companies, but only a small percentage was being spent on a tobacco control program.
By mandating Tobacco Free Florida’s creation, Florida voters ensured that a comprehensive program benefiting Floridians’ health and the state’s finances would be funded by 15 percent of the annual settlement amount.
Since Tobacco Free Florida’s advertising launched, quit attempts across the state have increased and the campaign has been linked to reducing relapses among those who quit.
Over the past 10 years, Tobacco Free Florida has helped more than 159,000 Floridians quit tobacco.
- In 2006, Florida’s adult smoking rate was 21 percent. In 2015, it was 15.8 percent — the lowest it has ever been.
- Fewer young people have started smoking since Tobacco Free Florida began. The youth smoking rate has decreased from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 3 percent in 2016 — a 71 percent decrease. Data by county: Escambia, 3.9 percent; Okaloosa, 4.5 percent; and Santa Rosa, 4.8 percent.
- The program saved the state $3.2 billion in health care costs in 2015. Annual smoking-related health care costs in Florida decreased 15 percent from 2006 to 2015 because of fewer adults smoking.
Source: Florida Department of Health
FAST FACTS
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Report: Florida adult, teen smoking rates hit record low