Partnership Bylaws were approved on February 16, 2022.

SECTION 1: MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to mobilize community partners to establish long-lasting system and policy changes that promote tobacco-free social norms to prevent usage of tobacco products by youth/young adults, eliminate the hazards of secondhand smoke, and decrease the number of deaths due to tobacco products.

SECTION 2: VISION

We envision a Lake County where all residents have a fair chance at a healthy future—free from nicotine addiction. 

SECTION 3: GOALS OF THE TOBACCO FREE LAKE COUNTY PARTNERSHIP

Goal 1: Prevent Initiation of Tobacco Use Among Florida’s Youth and Young Adults

"Tobacco" definition: All products defined as tobacco products by the FDA will be addressed by this Partnership and include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigars of any size, smokeless tobacco of any kind, hookah, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and electronic vapor devices (EVPS) which include electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizing devices.

Goal 2: Eliminate secondhand smoke exposure. Promote policies to create smoke free multi-unit dwellings

Goal 3: Promote cessation from tobacco use.

Promote policies that increase the number of organizations, including employers, schools, and other community groups, that offer cessation services to individuals. Services offered by the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida and Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) should also be promoted in conjunction with the Tobacco Free Partnership’s work in the community.

SECTION 4: FISCAL AGENT & FACILITATOR

Beginning with the funding years of 2021-2022, Civic Communications LLC. (hereafter "CivCom") and its officers are the contract manager for the Tobacco Free Lake County Partnership. The Community Liaisons/Facilitators for the Tobacco Free Partnership (TFP) are the Lake County Tobacco Policy Manager (TPM) and the Lake County Community Engagement Manager (CEM) and are employed by CivCom. Fiscal spending decisions for the TFP are at the discretion of the TPM and CEM and are based on grant funding availability and allowability. The TFP shall abide by all rules and regulations as promulgated by the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida (BTFF).

SECTION 5: COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

The TFP is a community partner willing to share relevant data and resources with other community-based organizations. The TFP shall endeavor to collaborate with local non-profits, governmental organizations, faith-based groups, the business community, and all other interested individuals.

SECTION 6: PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS

Adult Participation:

• Members help plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive interventions with the potential to save lives and improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors.

• Members assume leadership regarding tobacco control and advocacy, education and prevention, information exchange, policy development and decision-making.

• Members agree to work within the mission, goals, objectives, and principles of the TFP when representing the project in public.

• Members speaking on behalf of the TFP should inform the Facilitator prior to doing so.

• Members attend all regular meetings, send an appropriate representative, or teleconference in.

• Members maintain active communication with the TPM and CEM.

Youth & Young Adult Participation:

• Youth Members assume leadership regarding tobacco control and advocacy, education and prevention, information exchange, policy development and decision-making.

• Youth Members agree to work within the mission, goals, objectives, and principles of the TFP when representing the project in public.

• Youth Members will maintain active communication with the TFP Advisory Council.

• Youth members can participate via teleconferencing if all members present can hear the conversation.