Tobacco Free Florida Saves Lives, Saves Money Op-Ed

Florida has long been a pioneer and leader in tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The state was among the first to sue the tobacco industry in 1997. It launched a model youth prevention program, and achieved significant results in reducing youth tobacco use at a time when rates were increasing.

In 2007, the Bureau of Tobacco Prevention Program was established as a result of constitutional amendment mandating funding for a comprehensive tobacco program, and in early 2008, the Tobacco Free Florida campaign was launched.  As we approach the third annual Tobacco Free Florida Week March 28-April 2, it’s an opportunity to assess where we are in the campaign.  This year’s theme, “Tobacco Free Florida: Saving Lives, Saving Money” is both timely and relevant. Since implementing tobacco control and prevention efforts in 2007, the smoking rate for adults in Florida has decreased by 18.6 percent, falling to 17.1 percent, which is well below the national average of 20.6 percent. Tobacco prevention and control in Florida has produced dramatic results - nearly half a million fewer adult smokers!

That is just the beginning of the story.  This number represents a sizeable, positive impact on both the state’s public health and medical costs, saving lives and saving taxpayers millions of dollars.  Annual personal healthcare expenditures related to smoking have declined by $1 billion and productivity losses because of mortality attributable to smoking have decreased by about $583 million. The savings extends to Florida families, too. It is estimated that for every dollar Florida spends on providing tobacco cessation treatments, it has an average potential return on investment of $1.24, and since the program is funded with settlement money, taxpayers don’t spend a dime.  In families where a parent has quit, there is an immediate financial benefit in the form of money back in their pockets – as much as $2,300 a year for a pack-a-day smoker. Longer term, many ex-smokers will live longer, healthier lives, reducing their family medical costs and decreasing lost workdays due to illness or death.

Providing every Floridian who wants to quit with easy access to proven, comprehensive cessation programs and services is imperative to continuing the momentum of these positive health and life-saving trends, while positively impacting personal and state healthcare expenditures. During Tobacco Free Florida Week, emphasis is placed on encouraging tobacco-users to utilize the free resources available to them.  Services include phone counseling, online help, in-person assistance with specially trained tobacco cessation experts and nicotine replacement therapies.

Despite Tobacco Free Florida’s accomplishments, tobacco use still remains the leading preventable cause of death in Florida (and in the U.S.). Every year 28,700 Floridians die from tobacco-related diseases, while 22,800 children under 18 become regular, daily smokers. The latter, potentially attributable to big tobacco’s big marketing budgets - the industry spends $880 million in Florida annually to market its products.

We encourage Floridians to continue to support the program; urge those who are struggling with addiction to tobacco products to seek our help in quitting; and to continue to offer quality programs and activities that lower smoking rates, prevent young people from starting, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.  Great progress has been made – but more work remains – to achieve a Tobacco Free Florida.

For more information, please visit tobaccofreeflorida.com.