778301 - Understanding Local Government in Florida: Local Policy Pathways for Tobacco Prevention and Control
Course Description
Creating healthier communities often begins at the local level. This engaging, self-paced online course introduces public health professionals to the fundamentals of local government in Florida and the policy tools available to advance tobacco and vaping prevention and control.
Through expert instruction and real-world case studies from Florida communities, participants will learn how counties, municipalities, and school boards make policy decisions and how public health professionals can effectively engage with local leaders to support healthier environments. The course explores topics such as charter versus non-charter counties, state preemption, zoning and land use, smoke-free parks, school tobacco policies, and other local strategies that reduce tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use.
Whether you are new to policy work or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this course provides practical insights into how local governments function and where opportunities exist to create meaningful public health change.
Participants will learn how to:
- Understand the structure and authority of Florida's local governments.
- Identify policy opportunities available to counties, municipalities, and school boards.
- Navigate state preemption and recognize where local action is possible.
- Apply evidence-based policy strategies to reduce tobacco and ENDS use.
- Build productive relationships with local elected officials, government staff, and community partners.
Featuring presentations from experienced local government leaders, public health policy experts, and Florida elected officials, this course equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to turn public health goals into local action.
Format: Self-paced online course (approximately 3 hours)
Audience: Public health professionals, tobacco prevention specialists, community coalition members, health educators, local government staff, policymakers, students, and anyone interested in improving community health through local policy.
Certificate: Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Florida Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy.
Course Outline
Module 1 – Welcome and Course Overview (5 minutes)
Begin with an introduction to the course, its learning objectives, and why local government plays a critical role in improving community health. Participants will gain an overview of the course structure and how the lessons connect to real-world tobacco prevention and control efforts.
Module 2 – Understanding Local Government in Florida: Authority, Structure, and State Preemption (75 minutes)
Learn the fundamentals of Florida's local government system, including the differences between charter and non-charter counties, municipalities, and school boards. This module explains how authority is distributed across local governments, how ordinances are developed, and how state preemption shapes local decision-making. Participants will gain a practical understanding of where local governments have authority to act and how public health professionals can effectively engage with local officials.
Topics include:
- Charter vs. non-charter counties
- Municipal government authority
- School board governance
- Home rule and local authority
- State preemption and its impact on tobacco control
- Opportunities for local public health leadership
Module 3 – Case Study: Local Government in Action (20 minutes)
Hear directly from a Florida local government leader who successfully advanced a tobacco control ordinance. This case study provides an inside look at the policy development process, stakeholder engagement, public hearings, implementation, and lessons learned.
Module 4 – Navigating Local Levers: Policy Tools for Tobacco and ENDS Control (35 minutes)
Explore the evidence-based policy options available to local governments for reducing tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use. Participants will examine both voluntary organizational policies and formal governmental policies and learn how different strategies can be combined to create healthier communities.
Topics include:
- Smoke-free parks and public spaces
- Tobacco-free schools and campuses
- Tobacco retail licensing
- Zoning and land-use strategies
- Retail density and proximity restrictions
- Flavored tobacco policies
- Pricing and promotion strategies
- Conducting a local policy gap assessment
Module 5 – Case Study: School Board Leadership in Tobacco Prevention (20 minutes)
Learn how a Florida school board successfully developed and implemented policies to address youth tobacco and vaping. This session illustrates how school boards can serve as powerful partners in protecting student health and creating tobacco-free learning environments.
Module 6 – Reflection and Next Steps (10 minutes)
Conclude the course by reflecting on key concepts and identifying opportunities to apply them within your own community. Participants will consider practical next steps for working with local governments, building partnerships, and advancing evidence-based tobacco prevention and control policies.
Learner Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the structure and authority of Florida's local governments.
- Recognize how state preemption affects local policymaking.
- Identify evidence-based local policy options for tobacco and ENDS control.
- Understand how successful local policy initiatives are developed and implemented.
- Apply practical strategies for engaging local officials and community partners to improve public health.
Notes
This course is offered fully online in a self-paced, asynchronous format. Participants may begin and complete the course at any time and may pause and resume progress as needed. The estimated time required to complete all course modules is approximately 3 hours.
The course features professionally produced video presentations from experts in local government, public health policy, and tobacco prevention, along with case studies highlighting successful policy initiatives in Florida communities. Supplemental learning materials are provided throughout the course to reinforce key concepts and support practical application.
A reliable internet connection and a computer or mobile device capable of streaming video are recommended. Participants will access the course through the University of Florida's online learning platform.
Upon successful completion of all course modules and required assessments, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy at the University of Florida.
This educational program was developed by the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to strengthen the capacity of public health professionals and community leaders to effectively engage local governments in advancing evidence-based tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) prevention and control policies.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course.
This course is designed for individuals with an interest in public health, tobacco prevention and control, community health improvement, or local government. It is appropriate for both newcomers to public policy and experienced professionals seeking to better understand how local governments can advance evidence-based tobacco and vaping prevention initiatives.
The course may be particularly valuable for:
- Public health professionals
- Tobacco prevention and cessation specialists
- Community coalition members
- Health educators
- Local government staff
- Elected officials
- School district administrators and staff
- Healthcare professionals
- Students in public health, public policy, or related fields
- Community advocates and nonprofit leaders
No prior knowledge of Florida local government, legislative processes, or tobacco control policy is required. Participants will benefit from a basic familiarity with public health concepts and an interest in working collaboratively to improve community health through local policy.
Recommendations
To get the greatest benefit from this course, participants are encouraged to:
- Complete all course modules in sequence. Each module builds upon the previous one, providing a comprehensive understanding of Florida's local government structure and policy development process.
- Actively reflect on your own community. As you progress through the course, consider how the concepts apply to your local government, school district, or organization. Identify opportunities and challenges that may exist in your jurisdiction.
- Review the supplemental resources. The course includes examples of local ordinances, policy resources, and additional references that can serve as practical tools for future tobacco prevention and control initiatives.
- Discuss what you learn with colleagues and community partners. Effective tobacco control is built on collaboration. Sharing ideas with local health departments, coalition members, elected officials, school personnel, and community organizations can help translate knowledge into action.
- Apply the lessons locally. Use the frameworks presented in this course to assess your community's current policies, identify gaps, and develop evidence-based strategies that fit your local legal, political, and community context.
Participants seeking additional information about tobacco prevention and control policy are encouraged to explore resources from the Florida Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Law Center, the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).