Persistence Pays Off: Lawtey Celebrates a Tobacco Free Parks Victory

After 18 months of relationship-building, community engagement, and persistent advocacy, the City of Lawtey has passed an ordinance establishing all city parks as tobacco free spaces. This local policy represents an important step toward creating healthier, cleaner environments where children, families, and community members can enjoy outdoor spaces without exposure to tobacco smoke or electronic vapor products.

The road to policy change was a collaborative effort led by Tobacco Free Bradford (TFB), its partners, and local Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) youth. Throughout the process, SWAT members played an important role in bringing the youth perspective directly to local decision makers. Youth attended meetings, shared their concerns, advocated for tobacco free parks, and helped demonstrate why protecting public spaces from tobacco and nicotine products matters to the next generation.

Tobacco Free Bradford and its members also recognized that successful policy change is about more than presenting facts or asking for a policy to be adopted. It requires building relationships, connecting with community members, listening to their priorities, and identifying common goals. By maintaining communication with Lawtey decision makers, attending public meetings, providing information, and creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, the partnership was able to build a foundation of trust and understanding around the proposed policy.

Policy change in small municipalities can be challenging. Limited resources, competing priorities, and the close-knit nature of small communities can make it especially important to establish relationships and approach the process with patience and respect. The Lawtey experience demonstrates that progress can be achieved when community partners remain persistent and continue looking for opportunities to connect tobacco prevention goals with issues that matter locally.

The passage of the tobacco free parks ordinance is more than a policy accomplishment—it is an example of what can happen when youth voices, community partnerships, and dedicated local advocates work together toward a shared goal. Tobacco Free Bradford and its partners celebrate the City of Lawtey for taking this important step and recognize the SWAT youth whose advocacy helped bring the issue forward.

The Lawtey victory serves as an encouraging reminder that meaningful community change does not always happen quickly. With persistence, youth leadership, strong relationships, and community support, even challenging policy goals can become achievable.