Every Alachua County resident deserves a fair chance at a healthy future.
Right now, that future is at risk. In Alachua County, 1 in 8 adults smokes &
1 in 5 youth ages 11-17 vapes or uses another toxic tobacco product.
ABOUT
Vision & Mission
We envision an Alachua County where all residents have a fair chance at a healthy future—free from nicotine addiction. Tobacco Free Alachua is a diverse community partnership which fosters collaborative initiatives to develop and promote policies that reduce the use and effects of tobacco. Our goal is to mobilize the community and advance local policies that will help end nicotine addiction, protect children, and improve public health for generations to come.
What We Do
PROTECT
Tobacco Free Alachua prides itself on protecting Alachua County residents from the negative implications of tobacco use and exposure. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, making the work of impactful community organizations, such as Tobacco Free Alachua, more valuable.
EDUCATE
We believe that education is key to addressing tobacco and vaping issues at the local level. Equipping residents with factual, evidence-based information supports our initiatives by reinforcing that tobacco is still a prevalent issue here in Alachua County.
PROMOTE
Tobacco Free Alachua supports and advocates for local organizations that are dedicated to helping users quit tobacco. We know that quitting tobacco can be a difficult journey, but there are various options available to utilize. Learn More
STRENGTHEN
Tobacco Free Alachua is composed of various community members all striving to reduce the burden of tobacco in Alachua County. Our diverse partnership allows for broad collaboration and the introduction of different approaches to address tobacco related issues.
To learn more, please also visit our FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/tobaccofreealachua.
Membership
We welcome all community members or professionals with a vested interest in community health. Interested persons are encouraged to attend a meeting to learn more about Tobacco Free Alachua’s work.
MEMBERS
Tobacco Free Alachua was established in 2008 and is a diverse community partnership that develops and promotes policies which reduce the use and effects of tobacco within Alachua County. Our partnership is composed of a variety of community members from different backgrounds who come together to target local tobacco related issues. Together, we better equip the community through education and promotion in reducing the consequences that tobacco has on Alachua County residents.
WENDY D. RESNICK, MBA
Vice Chair
Wendy is a long-term resident of Florida. She has a Bachelors in Accounting and an MBA and has worked for UFHealth Finance. Wendy serves as an active participant on several health focused groups in Alachua and Marion Counties. In addition to Tobacco Free Alachua, she actively participates and volunteers with the Alachua Safety Net Collaborative, Alachua Healthy Communities, Gainesville 4 All and the Marion County 2019 Health Needs Assessment Committee. In her Tobacco Free Alachua Chair role, Wendy is an active advocate for implementing effective public policies to reduce the significant health burden of tobacco. In 2017, Wendy was recognized for her Community Health efforts with the Public Health Champions Award by the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Delta Omega.
STEFANI NIXON, MPH, CPH, MCHES
Chair
Stefani is a Training and Education Specialist working at the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Florida and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida. She is also a Tobacco Treatment Specialist and contracts with Suwannee River Area Health Education center to provide tobacco cessation groups to the community. Stefani is interested in social determinants of health, health disparities and cultural competency and humility within the health sector. She is also interested in the development and evaluation of educational programs and the use of evaluation for continuous improvement.
INITIATIVES
Local initiatives supported by Tobacco Free Alchua include those intended to:
Stop illegal tobacco and vape product sales and predatory marketing practices. Learn More
Ensure K-12 school policies that address tobacco are comprehensive and effective. Learn More
Encourage multi-unit housing properties to implement policies that protect residents from secondhand smoke. Learn More
Decrease youth use in tobacco and vaping products to prevent future generations from becoming addicted and facing health related issues. Learn More
MEETINGS & EVENTS
County Meetings are open to the public, guests are welcome! Please come to hear more about our work in the community in person at UF HealthStreet located at 2401 Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32608, with a virtual option as well.
Students Working Against Tobacco meetings are held on a regular basis at the PACE Center for Girls and Santa Fe High School.
CThe Point of Sale Task Force is a meeting devoted to combatting tobacco product exposure by working on zoning policies that can reduce tobacco retailers in Alachua County. We will be meeting on the following days virtually:
August 6th, 2024 3:30pm-4:15pm
November 12th, 2024 3:00pm-4:00pm
February 11th, 2024 3:00pm-4:00pm
May 13th, 2024 3:00pm-4:00pm
For any inquires about meetings and events contact info@tobaccofreealachua.org.
YOUTH ADVOCACY
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) mobilizes and equips youth to protect their generation from the tobacco and vaping industries. Alachua 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’s work across the state, visit SWATflorida.com.
QUIT
Are you or someone you care about ready to quit? Support is available!
Talk to a quit coach, find a quit group, or get free nicotine replacement patches or gum. Learn more about these and other FREE resources at Tobacco Free Florida.
CONTACT
To learn more about Tobacco Free Alachua, please contact
info@tobaccofreealachua.org or visit us on our FaceBook page.
© 2021 TOBACCO FREE ALACHUA PARTNERSHIP