News and Events
Highlands Students Working Against Tobacco Youth are Working Hard to Educate on the Dangers of Tobacco Use
November 29, 2021
Our Highlands SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) kicked the 21-22 school year off with a bang. Youth have been busy the past several months educating their peers and the community on the dangers associated with tobacco and vape use and secondhand smoke.
Our SWAT Chapter consists of youth ages 11-17 from all of our public middle and high schools in Highlands County and have been a strong force and voice for tobacco prevention in our community for many years.
In addition to becoming more active within their individual schools, our SWAT Youth are working hard to spread awareness and become more present within the community. Our Highlands County SWAT Youth participate in public speaking opportunities such as school board meetings and board of county commission meetings and to educate these key decision makers on current youth tobacco rates and the continued epidemic we see with youth vaping.
In addition to these activities, our SWAT Youth participated in Not a Lab Rat Day, Red Ribbon Week and multiple fall festivals this quarter. The yearly Christmas parades in Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid are events that are anticipated by all of our local residents and this year the SWAT Chapter participated in all three, handing out palm cards and candy.
We are so very proud of our youth and the initiative they are putting forth to advocate for their health and a tobacco free future in Highlands County. Quarter two was a huge success and we look forward to what the New Year has in store for our Youth.
If you are interested in partnering with our SWAT Youth or would like more information, please contact Amanda John at ajohn@quitdoc.com.
