News and Events
Tobacco Free Partnership of Indian River County appoints 2015-2016 Advisory Council
August 14, 2015
VERO BEACH, FL — The Tobacco Free Partnership of Indian River County has appointed its 2015-2016 Advisory Council. Advisory Council members assume a leadership role in tobacco control advocacy, prevention education, and policy change in Indian River County.
This year’s Advisory Council members include Michelle Bollinger, Indian River Medical Center, who has volunteered to Chair Partnership meetings this year; Robert Johnson, Tobacco Control Advocate from Sebastian; Nancy C. Johnson, Plan B Business Solutions; Christina DeFalco, Substance Awareness Center; Marie Blanchard, Florida Department of Health; Lillian Torres-Martinez, School District of Indian River County; and Beth Dingee, Healthy Families, IRC.
The Tobacco Free Partnership of Indian River County is dedicated to the creation of tobacco-free social norms through a combination of community education, youth advocacy, and changes in local tobacco control policies. The mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Indian River County reflects the goals of the Center for Disease Control Best Practices, especially in regards to improving local tobacco policies that will promote tobacco-free social norms.
Initiatives of the Partnership of Indian River County include building a diverse coalition of citizens interested in promoting tobacco-free norms, assisting businesses wishing to strengthen tobacco free worksite policies, advising owners and landlords seeking to establish smoke-free multiunit housing, working with youth sports leagues to decrease smokeless tobacco use, and establishing Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) clubs that engage youth in advocacy and education revealing manipulative marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry. In the recent past, County and Municipal officials approved ordinances that restrict the age of purchase for electronic cigarette products to 18 and over, and restrict their placement behind the counter and away from youth at retail outlets. To further advance tobacco free norms in their communities, the cities of Sebastian and Vero Beach also approved bans on the use of electronic cigarettes in all areas where traditional smoking is banned.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday every month. To learn more about the Partnership or to get involved visit the website www.TFP-IndianRiver.org.
