News and Events

Highlands County Tobacco Free Partnership & SWAT Join Forces for Park Clean-Up to Tackle Tobacco Litter
September 21, 2024

On Saturday, September 21st, members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Highlands County joined forces with local Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) to clean up Veterans Beach in Sebring. The event highlighted an often-overlooked form of pollution: cigarette butts. While Tobacco Free Florida is typically focused on reducing smoking, the organization is also dedicated to cleaning up cigarette litter, a harmful pollutant to both public health and the environment.

In addition to tobacco litter, partnership and SWAT members also collected other trash, including plastic bottles, fishing line, aluminum cans, construction litter, and straws. Over 10 pounds of trash was collected during the cleanup.

Tobacco Free Florida’s beach and park cleanups are part of a broader effort to reduce cigarette waste, which is one of the most common and toxic forms of litter. Cigarette butts contain plastic filters that can degrade into harmful microplastics, releasing dangerous chemicals such as arsenic and tar into the environment. Removing these pollutants is crucial not only for the appearance of Florida’s beaches but also to protect public health.

Supporting tobacco-free beaches and public spaces is vital for both the environment and the economy. Clean, litter-free beaches are a top reason tourists choose their destinations, making this initiative essential to preserving Florida’s tourism industry. Additionally, clean spaces help reduce secondhand smoke exposure and discourage smoking behavior, especially among youth.

This initiative is part of Tobacco Free Florida’s larger commitment to promoting smoke-free environments and supporting those trying to quit. By partnering with local communities and youth, they aim to create healthier public spaces and provide resources to help Floridians quit smoking. The organization offers free tools like Group and Phone Quit services, nicotine replacement therapies, and more, helping over 295,000 people successfully quit smoking.

      

Tobacco Free Florida’s local partnerships, like the one seen in Highlands County, continue to play a crucial role in advocating for cleaner, smoke-free environments across the state.

For more information on joining the TFP and its initiatives please contact Amanda John at ajohn@quitdoc.com.