- April 18, 2024
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The Flagler Tobacco Free Partnership will eventually be eligible for an additional $100,000 grant.
The Volusia-Flagler Tobacco Free Partnership is no more. Flagler County Health Department Director Patrick Johnson signed the papers July 14 to officially break away from Volusia County and take control of the efforts to educate Flagler County and its elected officials about the dangers of smoking.
The Tobacco Free Partnership in Flagler has historically received $25,000 per year as a grant from the state to run classes and smoking cessation programs for free, for residents.
Teresa Williams, liaison with the Tobacco Free Partnership, said the organization offers free nicotine patches and gum and other methods, which can be costly. But they’re all free with a commitment to complete a course.
Williams’ passion for the issue runs deep. Her mother-in-law died at 51, and her father-in-law died at 67, of smoking-related conditions. She has been in the field since 1998 and said she sees younger and younger people suffering and dying from smoking.
Now, Johnson said, the partnership is able to apply for a $134,000 grant, which will enable the group to hire a full-time employee and expand the efforts. And that means getting more involved in the political process and promoting smoke-free laws in Flagler County and its cities.
In addition to helping promote the Clean Air Act statewide, the Tobacco Free Partnership has supported Florida Hospital Flagler’s recent decision to become a smoke-free campus — even outdoors. And Student Services Director Katrina Townsend proposed a similar measure to the Flagler County School Board July 19.
The Flagler County Tobacco Free Partnership will have its first official meeting 9 a.m. July 25, in Room 3B of the Government Services Building. The public is invited to give input on issues such as a tobacco-free parks initiative.
STUDENTS WORKING AGAINST TOBACCO
Schools are a key part of the effort to educate people about the dangers of tobacco, according to Flagler County Health Department Director Patrick Johnson.
Students Working Against Tobacco has been established, or will be next year, at the Flagler County Youth Center, Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School.
Flagler County Youth Center Director Cheryl Massaro said splitting with Volusia in this respect is a good for Flagler. “The leadership in Flagler has stepped up and is heading us in the right direction,” she said. “We deserve to have our own money and spend it how we see fit.”
Flagler Palm Coast graduate Brandon Riddick said the schools have a tough battle ahead when it comes to educating students. “They do what they can as far as having a drug-free campus … but some of them live in households where their parents smoke.”
FPC graduate Brandon Seminara and Riddick agree that about 20% or 30% of their friends smoke. Melissa Boyles, a current Flagler Palm Coast student, thinks about half of her friends smoke, but she said students can make a difference.
“I think it’s a great thing for children to help children,” she said.
