Okaloosa County BOCC — June 21, 2016 — Notification Letter for Tobacco Free

Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners Staff, In order to provide a healthier environment for our employees, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has decided to go tobacco free. This means that all tobacco products including cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery devices such as e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco use will be prohibited on Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners’ premises. The harmful effects of secondhand and third hand smoke are simply too great to ignore. All indoor areas and county vehicles are already tobacco-free in accordance with the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act. A tobacco-free policy for all outdoor areas (this includes entire grounds, entrance ways, exits, job sites and parking lots) will be implemented beginning October 1, 2016. Hazards of Secondhand Smoke Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard. It is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, causing approximately 49,000 deaths each year. The 2006 Surgeon General’s report, “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke,” states that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous to children and has been linked to childhood asthma, low birth weight, ear infections, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Effective September 1, 2016, all staff will be required to sign a tobacco-free policy that explains the new policy that will be effective October 1, 2016. All new staff will be required to sign the policy during orientation. Please consider this letter as notice about the changes that will be taking place within the next year. We hope this policy will help everyone breathe easier and live healthier. Thank you, Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners