The smoking epidemic is a global concern, but some communities are faring better than others. According to Truth Initiative, 14.7% of adults smoked in Florida whereas the national rate was 15.5%. This costs the state $8.64 billion per year in smoking-related healthcare costs and $8.32 billion annually in smoking-related losses in
productivity.
Florida has been exerting efforts toward addressing this crisis, but there remains further room for improvement. Let’s review the different measures that have been exhausted and how Floridians can do their part in stopping the smoking epidemic for good.
Join community initiatives
Many cities in Florida offer local programs to promote smoking cessation, including therapy sessions. Tobacco Free Florida provides 24/7 access to call a trained Quit Coach and create a personalized quit plan and classes. Additionally, in our previous article on Health Seminars, we listed monthly seminars that are free to the public and
offered by St. Anthony’s Hospital.
This includes a Smoking Cessation Class, which provides valuable tools to help quit using tobacco, including coping with cravings and physical and emotional symptoms. These are excellent means of counseling that the organizers also supplement with free aids for smoking cessation while supplies last. Floridians can choose to join in, or even volunteer to help organize.
Encourage NRT options
The optimal evidence-based treatment approach is counseling and FDA-approved cessation medication. Thankfully, nicotine replacement therapies or NRTs are widely accessible in Florida, and residents have no problem acquiring these for themselves or loved ones. Many alternatives have been increasing in popularity, including nicotine gum from established brand Nicorette, which is sold over the counter in drugstores.
Unflavored options like nicotine pouches that are available on Prilla under brands ZYN or ON! are also safe choices for nicotine use while avoiding tobacco. Pouches are smokeless and also minimize health dangers like aldehydes and acrolein that are present in e-cigarettes. These aldehydes are huge factors as to why Juul devices have been steadily decreasing in popularity, alongside growing regulations around flavored
products, in lieu of other alternatives.
Critically tighten regulations on the market
Florida is one of the few states that have vetoed the flavor ban, introduced during the 2020 legislative session. This was the result of the critical assessment of Florida vapers and public health experts, which proves effective today as more continue to quit smoking cigarettes and shift to flavored nicotine products.
A balance must be struck, however. For Florida, flavored products have proven to be vital in cessation rates, but regulations must be tighter to protect Floridian youth from profiteering schemes. Last 2020, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody found two vaping companies marketing their products to minors. Marketing entices younger crowds to try nicotine, which is counterproductive to the goal of using e-cigarettes for cessation.
Support local policies
Florida is home to many ordinances that prohibit smoking in public places. This includes private workplaces, schools, restaurants, and bars. As of last June 2022, public Florida beaches and parks have followed suit after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 105. This sponsors the creation of designated smoking zones, fines, and stricter laws on the disposal of cigarette butts.
Long-time implementation shows reduced amounts of daily smoking among workers and the general population. Simply cooperating with these policies, and enforcing them amongst ourselves and our neighbors, is the key to lessening smoking rates. It can be easy to turn a blind eye to violators, but the health of our community is worth
taking the extra effort to remind people why smoking in public is prohibited. As we progress, Floridians can eventually call for a total smoking ban. With every small victory, we can effectively