Tobacco Free Florida Week Promotes Education, Discussion About New Nicotine Devices

Tobacco Free Florida, a bureau of the Florida Department of Health, announced the 16^th annual Tobacco Free Florida Week will be observed June 23-29 with the theme for this year’s statewide initiative, “The New Nicotine Generation: Adapt, Educate, and Overcome.” The observance is part of the program’s ongoing efforts to educate and empower Floridians about the health risks of tobacco and nicotine use. This year focuses on protecting youth and young adults from new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products through education. The timing coincides with the end of the school year and when many students across Florida begin summer break.

“The New Nicotine Generation” will include the release of new fact sheets, handouts for parents and educators, conversation starters, and new content on TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/newnicotinegeneration introducing the latest terms, expressions and trends around emerging tobacco products.

“We believe education is the first step towards a tobacco and nicotine free future,” said Laura Corbin, Bureau Chief for Tobacco Free Florida. “Equipping our community with knowledge of what youth and young adults are facing every day can make the difference in preventing the next generation from a future clouded by toxic and addictive nicotine products.”

“The New Nicotine Generation” is introduced at a potentially pivotal time in statewide public health. While progress has been made in reducing youth tobacco use, tobacco companies continue to create new, unsafe products that entice youth and young adults. Youth and young adults today face new threats for tobacco and nicotine addiction, including e-cigarettes and new kinds of oral nicotine products.

Despite being a newer product, 4.7% of Florida youth ages 11-17 say they have tried an oral nicotine product and 2.1% are current users of an oral nicotine product, according to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey. This means these addictive items are already more ingrained in youth culture than conventional cigarettes.

“We invite parents, coaches, teachers and caregivers during Tobacco Free Florida Week to understand what oral nicotine products are and learn how to recognize these new products and devices,” said Corbin. “Look for natural opportunities to speak with – not at – the youth in your life about these new products.”

Along with the progress in removing cigarettes from schools, public health education has resulted in significant progress against underage use of e-cigarettes. The rate of e-cigarette use by high schoolers has dropped by more than half from its peak in 2019.[i] However, the trends of newer devices present reasons for continued diligence and action. Nationally, from January 2020 through December 2022, disposable e-cigarette sales rose 27.1%.[ii]

Adults looking for updated information on supporting education, prevention and cessation about emerging products can visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/newnicotinegeneration or EndTeenVapingFL.gov. 

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 on X (formerly Twitter) at Twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.