News and Events

Highlands County SWAT Chapter: Growing, Learning, Teaching
September 14, 2022

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. SWAT works to change the social norms associated with tobacco. This means we want to change the way people think about tobacco… making it less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

SWAT Youth accomplish this by advocating for change in local policies that affect how tobacco is marketed, how it is sold, and where it can be used. SWAT members can typically expect to participate in a wide range of activities including community education and outreach, public speaking, collecting data, and media advocacy. 

The Highlands County SWAT Chapter has been a driving force in tobacco prevention within their school district for many years. Currently there are 7 SWAT Clubs in Highlands County, Avon Park Middle School, Avon Park High School, Lake Placid Middle School, Lake Placid High School, Hill Gustat Middle School, Sebring Middle School and Sebring High School. This year, the SWAT Chapter plans to add a community-based club to the mix, in hopes of reaching lower socio-economic populations, as they are more susceptible to tobacco use.

In addition, the SWAT Chapter of Highlands County has big plans this year, which include presentations at the school board meetings to advocate for a comprehensive tobacco free policy, promoting the online student, teacher and nurse tobacco education course, and ramping up their social media presence. They plan to continue participating in community events such as fall festivals, Christmas celebrations, Tobacco Free holidays and also volunteering their time to help with the Tobacco Free Partnerships advocacy efforts.

For more information on the SWAT Chapter of Highlands County, contact Amanda John, Program Manager at ajohn@quitdoc.com