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Tobacco Education and Prevention Program

The Putnam County Health Department's Tobacco Education and Prevention Program offers a variety of tobacco prevention, education and volunteer opportunities for youth and adults in Putnam County.

Since tobacco is the #1 cause of preventable death in the United States, we are working diligently towards a Tobacco Free Florida and a Tobacco Free Putnam County through Putnam County Tobacco Free Partnership and Putnam County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT).

Program funding is received through Amendment #4, requiring the funding of a Comprehensive Statewide Tobacco Education and Prevention Program, which can be found in Florida Statutes 381.84.

Putnam County's Tobacco Program has four goals:

• Goal 1: Prevent initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults.
• Goal 2: Eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
• Goal 3: Promote cessation from tobacco use.
• Goal 4: Build and maintain an effective Tobacco Free Partnership and SWAT chapter.

You can get involved by:

Joining Students Working Against Tobacco. SWAT membership is open to Putnam county students from 6th to 12th grade. SWAT membership allows young people to become advocates for change of the tobacco norm in Putnam County. SWAT members are involved in educating the public through public speaking and by participating in parades and other community events and activities. For more information call the Tobacco Education and Prevention Program at (386) 326-3253.

Several Putnam County SWAT members deliver an anti-tobacco message using a flash mob at the Azalea Festival.

Putnam County SWAT member Kahreem Golden trains other youth in empowerment at the superintendents workshop. Kahreem also serves as the State Chair for SWAT.

Joining Putnam County Tobacco Free Partnership. Community members from all walks of life have joined SWAT youth in creating a partnership of concerned citizens who would like to see a change in the culture surrounding tobacco in Putnam County. These partners serve as advocates for change working with decision makers in the community. If you are interested in becoming involved with Tobacco Free Partnership Putnam, call (386) 326-3253.

Promoting cessation from tobacco use is a main concern for the Tobacco Education and Prevention Program.

The Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW offers free telephone counseling and free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, lozenges and gum).

Suwannee River Florida Area Health Education Centers at 1-877-QUIT-IT-NOW offers local cessation classes throughout the year in Putnam County.

For more information about tobacco issues, visit the Tobacco Free Florida website.

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. Every six seconds, someone in the US dies because of tobacco.

Get involved! The health of our community depends on it!