MEMBERS
Meet our members!
INITIATIVES
Local initiatives supported by the Tobacco Free Brevard Partnership include:
Tobacco Free Public Parks and Beaches Smoke-free public places could help reduce a major source of toxic litter and how restrictions on tobacco use in places where kids play could keep young people from ever starting to use these products. Learn More
Counteract Tobacco Industry Influences at the Retail Point of Sale: Stop illegal tobacco and vape product sales and predatory marketing practices. Learn More
Policies in K-12 Schools: Ensure K-12 school policies related to tobacco are comprehensive and effective.
Learn MorePolicies in Higher Education Institutions: Assist higher education institutions to implement policies related to tobacco that are comprehensive and effective. Learn More
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT): SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. The Tobacco Free Brevard Partnership collaborates with SWAT youth who lend meaningful insight into ending nicotine addiction among their peers. Learn More.
Smoke Free Multi-Unit Housing: Encourage multi-unit housing properties to implement policies that protect residents from secondhand smoke. You can learn more about the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act.
Increase Cessation Access Among Priority Populations: Partner with health systems to improve access to evidence-based cessation services. Learn more about the National AHEC Organization.
Health Equity: The Tobacco Free Brevard County Partnership operates through a health equity lens to safeguard all priority populations. These are the groups that have been most impacted by tobacco use including groups who have been the targets of predatory product marketing practices, those who have higher rates of vaping or smoking, or individuals who are more likely to be exposed to toxic smoke and vapor at home or in the workplace. Priority populations often include people of low socioeconomic status, minority populations and indigenous people, LGBTQ+ persons, people with mental health & substance use disorders, people with disabilities, and military service members and their families. Learn more about Health Equity.
Get Involved
We want YOU! Share your skills and have your voice heard.
- Email info@tobaccofreebrevard.com to learn how you can support our policy initiatives and get involved in our community advocacy efforts.
- Come to one of our quarterly meetings (see Meetings & Events).
- Share our Website and connect with us on Facebook
Pictured Left: Tobacco Free Brevard Vice Chair, Ashley Hutchinson, presents on Tobacco Free Parks And Beaches at the Satellite Beach City Council meeting on November 2nd, 2022.
Get Youth Involved!
The YOUTH voice counts! Do you know of any passionate Brevard 11-18 year olds who want to:
- Hone their presentation skills
- Advocate for policy change
- Become youth leaders
- Gain volunteer hours
Email lara@civcom.com to learn how they can get involved in our community efforts.
Pictured Left: SWAT member and Melbourne High School Senior presents on Tobacco Free Parks And Beaches at the City of Cocoa Beach City Commission Meeting on December 19th, 2023.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
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TBD Upcoming Beach Cleanups
Join Students Working Against Tobacco and Tobacco Free Brevard to clean-up local beaches. Ask how YOU can get involved in our Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches initiative!
(Howard E. Futch Memorial Park)
2301 Florida A1A, Melbourne, FL 32903
2023 Dates TBD
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Buckets and pickers available for use on a 1st come 1st serve basis.
Bags and gloves will be provided.
Don't forget to bring sunblock, comfortable shoes, and water!
For more information, contact lara@civcom.com.
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3.8.23 TFB Quarterly Meeting
The Tobacco Free Brevard Partnership typically meets every two to three months. Meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome!
TFB Partnership Meeting
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: This will be our first hybrid meeting, and the physical location will be the Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C-Viera, FL 32940 (Space Coast Room).
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vvt-tdsn-bfg
Or dial: (US) +1 321-296-9610 PIN: 513 627 909#
Contact: info@tobaccofreebrevard.com.
YOUTH ADVOCACY
SWAT: Students Working Against Tobacco
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Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth working towards a tobacco and vape free future. Brevard County SWAT members build leadership skills and plan activities to help raise awareness and support for policies that benefit the community.
- To learn more about SWAT, visit SWATflorida.com.
- To learn more about SWAT in Brevard County, contact lara@civcom.com.
- To learn more about vaping and youth check out E-Epidemic: Vaping and Youth.
- To quit vape, teens can text VAPEFREE to 873373 or visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/LiveVapeFree.
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Space Coast Grom Fest
December 2022
On December 17th, 2022, Brevard SWAT took part in the 2nd Annual Space Coast Grom Fest, hosted by Space Coast BoardRiders Club. SWAT members raised the profile of Brevard SWAT by hosting a beach cleanup during the event, making it extra fun for youth by having beach cleanup bingo cards and small prizes, and beach games at the SWAT tent. SWAT members educated the public about Tobacco Free Brevard's Smoke-Free Public Parks and Beaches initiative, why such policies are important, the environmental impact nicotine products have on the environment, and provided information about free quit resources.
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Paradise Beach Cleanup
November 2022
On November 19th, 2022, 15 SWAT youth came out to Paradise Beach at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park in Melbourne Beach to help us advocate for Tobacco Free Public Parks and Beaches, and to help protect the environment by cleaning up our local beaches. We had beach games for some good ol’ classic fun for all!
Check the Meetings & Events section for information about future beach cleanups.
For more information or to get involved,
please contact lara@civcom.com.
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Not A Lab Rat (NALR)
October 2022
Not A Lab Rat Day is observed annually on the third Wednesday of October to bring awareness to youth e-cigarette use, encourage youth to stand up against Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry, and to push for change. SWAT youth throughout Florida observe NALR throughout October. Let's make everyday NALR Day!
Keep scrolling to see how Brevard SWAT spread #NotALabRat in our community this year!
Manatee Elementary: Fall Festival NALR 2022
On October 14th, 2022, Students Working Against Tobacco and Tobacco Free Brevard shared our Mad Scientist themed station with Viera Community members for an interactive lesson about the dangers of vaping and a photo op with our experiment lab!
Eau Gallie High School NALR 2022
On October 19th, 2022, SWAT students at Eau Gallie High School engaged their peers about the mental health impacts of vaping and nicotine, and shared information about Tobacco Free Florida's Live Vape Free text-to-quit program. They recruited 50 students to sign their names on pledge cards posted on the courtyard bulletin, declaring they will be experiment on with e-cigarettes and over 100 students signed their Not A Lab Rat banner.
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International Coastal Cleanup Day September 2022
On September 17th, 2022, Brevard SWAT hosted a beach cleanup at Millennium Beach Park in Indian Harbour Beach as part of the International Coastal Cleanup Day to celebrate Indian Harbour Beach as one of the first cities in Florida to pass a smoke-free ordinance restricting cigarette smoking in public parks and beaches.
SWAT members educated the public about Tobacco Free Brevard's Smoke-Free Parks and Beaches initiative and why such policies are important, as well as provide information about the free quit resources.
A total of 87 pounds of trash, and a whopping 744 cigarette butts were removed from the beach!!!
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