University partnerships have played a powerful role in advancing point of sale tobacco zoning advocacy in Orange County. Through education, community engagement, data collection, and policy advocacy, University of Central Florida (UCF) partners helped bring greater attention to the number of tobacco retailers operating near schools and one another.

The effort began when Tobacco Free Partnership of Orange County provider staff presented information about tobacco prevention and point of sale zoning to the UCF School Health Advisory Committee. Following the presentation, TFP members emailed every Orange County Commissioner to share information about tobacco retailer density and the benefits of zoning restrictions. One commissioner (District 1) responded and requested a meeting. The meeting was facilitated and held at UCF, where partners discussed establishing requirements between tobacco retailers and schools, as well as separation requirements between retailers to control density. University and community partners shared that the Partnership would actively support zoning restrictions designed to protect youth. This meeting helped prompt the commissioner of District 1 to submit a request to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to explore tobacco retail distance separation requirements as a strategy for reducing the concentration of tobacco retailers near schools.

A few months later, UCF Voices of Equity contacted the Partnership to learn more about its initiatives and explore opportunities for collaboration. Provider staff trained two Voices of Equity members on point of sale zoning and the SHOWeD community assessment method. Using this approach, Voices of Equity members photographed tobacco retailers throughout Orange County, presented their photos during the May 2026 Tobacco Free Partnership meeting, and shared their findings with the Orange County commissioner representing District 1.

During the second Orange County Commission meeting public discussion of the Tobacco Shop Distance Separation proposal, commissioners considered both the proximity of tobacco retailers to schools and the distance between individual retailers. Voices of Equity students joined forces with Tobacco Free Partnership members in providing public comment. Since becoming involved, some of the members of the university group have joined the TFP and remain a strong and consistent partner in point of sale zoning advocacy.

The progression from a university presentation to student-led advocacy through meetings with elected officials demonstrates the power of community partnerships with local universities. UCF partners brought voices, local observations, and engagement to the POS Zoning initiative. Their involvement helped transform presentation/education into advocacy and then advocacy into action.