News and Events
Tobacco Free Partnership Members Monitor Tobacco Retailers in Okeechobee
June 9, 2025
Recently, members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and S.W.A.T. youth took to the community to assess local tobacco retailers’ compliance with displaying corrective statement signage—a vital public education effort that holds the tobacco industry accountable for decades of misleading advertising.
Together, the team visited 10 retailers, including one pharmacy, two mass merchandisers, two grocery stores, and five convenience stores (with or without gas). Their goal: to determine whether stores were properly displaying corrective statements as required by law.
But what are corrective statements—and why do they matter?
Corrective statements were mandated as part of a 2006 federal court ruling, after the U.S. government sued major tobacco companies for violating racketeering laws by deceiving the public about the health risks of smoking. As a result, tobacco companies are now required to publicly admit the harms of their products through signage and other public statements. These signs address issues such as the addictive nature of nicotine, the dangers of secondhand smoke, and the risks of smoking-related diseases.
The surveillance found that while most retailers were in compliance with signage requirements, some areas still need attention. Several stores had oversized tobacco displays, product placements that extended beyond designated shelving areas, or advertising materials in locations that may increase youth exposure to tobacco products.
Following the activity, the Tobacco Free Partnership and S.W.A.T. members met with the program staff to reflect on their findings. They discussed what surprised them, the volume and visibility of tobacco marketing, and how store staff reacted during the visit.
These local efforts are part of a larger strategy to protect youth from tobacco influence and to ensure that the tobacco industry’s corrective messages are clearly seen by the public.
The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County remains dedicated to creating a tobacco-free culture through youth advocacy, public education, and policy change. Guided by CDC Best Practices, the partnership focuses on reducing tobacco use and exposure in the community by supporting initiatives that promote healthier, smoke-free spaces.
TFP is facilitated by the QuitDoc Foundation. To learn more about the partnership or to get involved, visit www.quitdoc.com, tfp-okeechobee.org, or contact Tobacco Program Manager Courtney Moyett at cmoyett@quitdoc.com.
