The need for youth to speak up and make their voices heard about the issues they care about is as important as ever, which is 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 youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco.

As a member of the Okeechobee County SWAT chapter, I believe SWAT is an important cause more youth should get involved in. SWAT has not only supported its members but has also positively impacted the community through its efforts. They have helped raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco, for instance, the dangers of more popularized tobacco products that industries have aimed their advertisement to the youth who are more susceptible to following the crowd and purchasing. Despite significant progress over the years, tobacco and e-cigarette use is still prevalent, and the tobacco industry’s antics must be stopped. SWAT is working to change the social norms associated with tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

SWAT has been educating and empowering youth and communities since 1998. SWAT has had several successful initiatives throughout the years. "Not a Replacement" was a statewide campaign where thousands of youth reminded tobacco companies that they are unique individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on their community.

"Not a Lab Rat" is the current statewide campaign that focuses on the truth behind e-cigarettes and how youth can stop the spread of misinformation. Through such initiatives, SWAT continues to work toward changing the way people think about tobacco, making it less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

My reason for joining SWAT was clear. I joined SWAT after seeing my uncle after four years addicted to many hard drugs, seeing him like that made me want to be able to prevent someone from seeing their family members go through such hardships as well.

The majority of the time I learned it all starts from smoking and then wanting to achieve that same sensation as your first. Joining SWAT helped me by Not only being educated on the negatives but also allowing me to be able to help others in my community change their ways.

In our community, the Okeechobee County SWAT chapter helped make a difference by recruiting youth to join SWAT at Back-to-School club fairs, participating in local events to raise awareness about the dangers of youth e-cigarette use, organizing community cleanups, and writing to local government representatives to support anti-tobacco and anti-vaping legislation.

There is still work to be done to protect our generation and future generations from the tobacco industry. By working with peers, students can create change that will keep tobacco products out of Okeechobee County and improve the health of our family, friends, and community. SWAT is open to all Florida youth in 6th-12th grade. There is a SWAT chapter in every county in Florida, and some counties also have clubs in schools and community organizations. In Okeechobee County we have SWAT Clubs at Yearling and Osceola Middle School and Okeechobee High School.

If you are interested in learning more about SWAT and how youth can get involved, contact our local SWAT Coordinator, Courtney Moyett at 863-801-8277 or cmoyett@quitdoc.com or visit www.SWATFlorida.com. I hope that in writing this, more youth are inspired to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry by joining SWAT.