In 1997, Florida successfully settled with the tobacco industry for $11.3 billion to recoup Medicaid costs incurred by smokers. As part of the settlement agreement, Florida launched the Tobacco Pilot Program targeting tobacco use among underage youth. Three years later in 2000, The Orange County Tobacco-Free Partnership began. It is a stand-alone partnership with 25% youth participation. Five years after the initial settlement, the funding for tobacco prevention and education was drastically cut and many programs, including the Orange County Tobacco-Free Partnership, suffered a great reduction in funding.
In 2006, as a result of a ballot initiative, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment that allocates 15% of tobacco trust fund interest payments to fund a comprehensive, statewide tobacco education and prevention program, with one-third of total annual funding being used for educational and counter-marketing mass media. With that increase in funding, the Orange County Tobacco-Free Partnership is forging ahead at full speed once again.
May 22, 2013
Meetings will be held from 3:30-5:00 pm
Florida Department of Health
in Orange County
6101 Lake Ellenor Dr
Orlando, FL 32809