Many Jay area businesses and other organizations in Santa Rosa County are now tobacco free, a growing trend throughout the state and country.
To date, 24 local businesses in Santa Rosa County have implemented tobacco free policies, including AppRiver, CVS Stores, City of Milton, Santa Rosa County School District, Family Dollar Stores, Lowe’s Stores, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Jail, Blackwater River Correctional Facility, University of West Florida, GEO Corrections and Detention, Santa Rosa County Offices, Shane’s Rib Shack, Pruitt Health-Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Kids’ House, Majors Home Improvement, Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Healthy Start Coalition-Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Medical Center, Jay Medical Center, Milton Storage, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Edward Jones Investment and City of Gulf Breeze.
“These organizations have created safer and healthier working environments by going tobacco free,” said Vince Nguyen, Health Educator Consultant with the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
Smokers, on average, die about 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It also increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, including pre-term delivery, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Exposure to secondhand smoke causes problems as well. In addition to an increased risk of heart attack, adults exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk for lung cancer and stroke and children may experience ear infections and respiratory problems. ¹
Smoking costs Florida about $19.6 billion a year due to lost productivity, premature death, and healthcare expenses. Tobacco free policies can save employers an average of $6,000 a year per employee and reduce employee absenteeism.
Smokers who quit greatly reduce their risk for adverse health effects.
