FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Tobacco Free Florida in Okaloosa County is collaborating with the local school board to review its tobacco policy to ensure all students, faculty, staff and visitors are protected from exposure to tobacco, including new and emerging products. The program hopes to raise awareness of free and effective tobacco cessation and prevention resources available to schools. With the introduction and widespread popularity among youth of new nicotine delivery products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), these policies must be kept up to date to protect the health and wellness of the area’s children and teens frequent.

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.

In 2023, the Okaloosa County School District strengthened its commitment to student health and safety by launching a comprehensive anti-vaping campaign. In response to the rising trend of youth vaping, the district introduced educational initiatives, installed vape sensors in school restrooms, and provided resources to help students and parents make informed decisions. Data from the 2024 Florida Youth Survey (FYTS) underscores the urgency of these efforts, revealing that 62.7% of student vape users in Okaloosa County reported using nicotine products—significantly higher than the state average of 51.3%.

The campaign aims to deter vaping on campus, educate students about its risks, and ensure compliance with Okaloosa County School Board policy, which prohibits using, possessing, or distributing tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or their components on school property. Students in violation face disciplinary actions ranging from participation in the Student Training Program (STP) to expulsion, depending on the circumstances. This initiative is about enforcing and fostering awareness and guiding students toward healthier choices that positively impact their well-being and academic success.

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.

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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 295,000 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 were 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at Facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or X at x.com/tobaccofreefla.