More young Floridians are speaking up on dangers of tobacco
It’s more important than ever for youths to make their voices heard on the issues they care about.
That’s why one student-led organization in Florida is leading the way in the fight against the tobacco industry and the addictive products that target youth.
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is a statewide youth organization focused on educating, empowering, and mobilizing Florida’s youths to revolt against and deglamorize Big Tobacco. As a member of the Sarasota County SWAT chapter, I believe SWAT is an important cause – and I believe more youths should get involved in it.
We can help our fellow students and save our generation by reducing tobacco-related health issues. Sadly, there are children as young as eight who are being introduced to these harmful substances and despite significant progress over the years, tobacco and e-cigarette use are still far too prevalent among youths. That’s why SWAT is working to change the social norms associated with tobacco, including ecigarettes.
SWAT has been educating and empowering youths and communities since 1998, and over the years it has launched successful initiatives across Florida. For example, the “Not a Replacement” campaign encouraged youths in Florida to fight back against the tobacco industry’s belief that it can make up for lost, older smokers by attracting young people as “replacement smokers.” Meanwhile, the current “Not a Lab Rat” campaign is focusing attention on the truth behind e-cigarettes and how young people can stop the spread of misinformation.
Through these initiatives and many others, SWAT is working to change the way people think about tobacco. It is also working to make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible.
There is a clear reason why I decided to join SWAT: My grandfather picked up his first cigarette at age 12, and his fulfilling and adventurous life was cut short in 2017 when he died from Stage 4 lung cancer at age 71. After seeing such a strong and vivacious person go through painful lung cancer treatment, I promised myself I would work to promote change by raising awareness about how tobacco affects families.
The Sarasota County SWAT chapter is making a difference by supporting our fellow students through their journey of quitting tobacco and tobacco-related products. We are bringing together our many voices to speak as one voice on the dangers of tobacco use.
SWAT is open to all Florida youths in grades six through 12, and there is a SWAT chapter in every county across the state. In Sarasota County, we have SWAT clubs in community organizations like Healthy Teens and in schools – including North Port High School, Venice High School, Sarasota Middle School and the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences
If you want to learn about SWAT, contact tobacco prevention specialist Lila VandenBroek at (941) 2287736 or visit www.SWATFlorida.com. I hope we can inspire more youths to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry.
Campbell Addis is president of the Sarasota SWAT chapter and a student at Venice High School.