News and Events
Indian River County Student’s Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Sets Sight on Tobacco-Free Parks
September 10, 2020
SWAT, or Students Working Against Tobacco, is a youth coalition whose mission is to mobilize, educate and equip Florida’s youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our SWAT members will continue their mission as they fight against big tobacco and electronic cigarettes. SWAT student’s across the county are embracing the virtual format and setting high goals for the upcoming school year, with their sight set on creating tobacco-free parks throughout Indian River County.
Over the years, SWAT students have garnered knowledge on the dangers of tobacco and electronic cigarettes and are ready to put their knowledge into action. SWAT students know there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure and that the best way to protect communities from secondhand smoke exposure is through the adoption of tobacco-free policies. Students are determined to protect residents who visit parks and beaches from the dangers of secondhand smoke by ensuring those environments are tobacco-free. Students will spend the year cleaning tobacco litter at parks, creating presentations, and meeting with community members to share their cause.
In addition to their tobacco-free parks project, SWAT clubs across the county will be participating in ‘Not A Lab Rat’ Day on October 19th. SWAT students will focus on educating their peers on the dangers of electronic cigarettes and encourage them to commit not to be Big Tobacco’s Lab Rats and live tobacco-free. The Indian River SWAT Chapter currently meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:00 for students who are interested in joining. For more information on SWAT or to get involved, please contact Kyleigh Savoie at KSavoie@QuitDoc.com.
