Research has shown that rural communities like Citrus County are more heavily affected by cigarette and smokeless tobacco use. Raising awareness of how tobacco advertising, price incentives and availability contribute to high rural tobacco use rates are important ways of preventing early youth initiation, helping smokers quit and protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure that can lead to COPD, heart disease and many cancers.

The True Cost of Tobacco Use

Smoking not only impacts your health and time with family and friends, it also takes a toll on your wallet. Do you know how much tobacco has cost you? Download The Cost of Smoking Infographic or explore how much money you can save over time if you stopped smoking today with Tobacco Free Florida’s online Cost Calculator.

THE COST OF SMOKING 1 year of cigarettes = $2,100 That can add up to more than $10,500 in just 5 years. Based on the average pack-a-day smoker in Florida = 1 week of cigarettes TANK OF GAS 2-3 weeks of smoking MONTHLY ELECTRIC BILL 3-4 weeks of smoking FAMILY CELL PHONE BILL 4-5 weeks of smoking GROCERIES FOR A WEEK = = = Tobacco is expensive, BUT QUITTING CAN BE FREE tobaccofreeflorida.com

Quit Your Way

Tobacco is expensive, but quitting can be free and it can benefit your health almost immediately. Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way program makes it easier than ever for tobacco users to access free tools and services to help them quit. For free face-to-face help from a trained specialist in Citrus County, sign up at tobaccofreeflorida.com/blog/smoking-support-group-calendar/ or call 813-929-1000.

Learn the Facts about Youth and Vaping

Youth vaping, or e-cigarette use, has increased dramatically across the country, the state and in Citrus County. According to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, the number of Citrus teens (ages 11-17) who currently use electronic vaping has more than tripled from 4.1% in 2014 to 13.1% in 2018.

Parents and educators should advise youth of the dangers of nicotine; discourage youth tobacco use in any form, including e-cigarettes; and set a positive example by being tobacco free themselves. Learn the facts about this troubling epidemic by using Tobacco Free Florida as your trusted resource for credible and accurate information: tobaccofreeflorida.com/current-issues/teen-vaping/.

For infromation about the outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping product use associated lung injury, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Electronic Cigarettes page.

Tobacco Free Partnership of Citrus County

"No fumar" "This Campus is Tobacco Free inside and outside for your health" sign

In Citrus, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Citrus County and Tobacco Free Florida program are committed to providing education, early intervention, advocacy and support to the school district, local government and institutions and citizens so we can work together to protect the health of residents and visitors from the hazards of tobacco use and exposure.

A good way to learn about local tobacco education and prevention efforts is to join the Tobacco Free Partnership. Click on the contact form above for more information.