News and Events

Okeechobee County SWAT Youth Participate in Chamber Socks for Seniors Program
January 8, 2024

Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter participated in a new community outreach project this year called “Socks for Seniors.”  This project was spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County to ensure all the senior citizen residents of Okeechobee County have pairs of anti-slip socks during this holiday seasons. 

The SWAT youth were able to get donations to purchase over 200 pairs of socks for this project.  SWAT youth partnered with Key Club students from Okeechobee High School to unpackage all the socks and place 2 pairs in holiday bags to distribute to the residents at the Okeechobee Health Care Facility. 

On December 14th SWAT youth arrived at the Okeechobee Health Care Facility adorned in holiday attire and went door to door to hand deliver the socks to all the residents.  SWAT youth enjoyed being able to have conversation with residents, educate them about what the local SWAT chapter does in Okeechobee and spread holiday smiles and cheer. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County sponsors Santa in the Park
January 5, 2024

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is proud to have partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee for the 46th Annual Santa in the Park.  The event ran from December 16-22 and involved over 28 Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth and a host of community partners.

Our SWAT Youth was an integral part of this year’s event, which ran from 6-8 p.m. each evening in the Okeechobee town gazebo. The students helped with crowd control, picture taking, and communicating with parents. Not only were they “Santa’s Helpers”, but these students raised awareness about harmful tobacco by wearing their SWAT shirts, setting up a SWAT booth with literature, and networking with community decision makers and leaders on new initiatives in the SWAT Club of Okeechobee County. Read More

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Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Host Their Annual Fall Pumpkin Painting Event
October 23, 2023

Okeechobee SWAT Chapter hosted their annual SWAT pumpkin painting event to bring awareness to our local SWAT clubs and anti-vaping messaging. SWAT youth leaders held several meetings to brainstorm messaging and designs of the pumpkin messaging. Over 50 youth attended the event, along with appearances from the Mayor Watford City of Okeechobee, and Sheriff Noel Stephen from the Okeechobee County Sheriff Office.  This event was made possible through funding from the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee, and a special thanks to Okeechobee County Parks and Recreation for providing the event space.

You can see more photos from this event by clicking here!

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible! For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco Attend Local Legislative Delegation Meeting
October 4th, 2023

On October 4th, 2023, Okeechobee County SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) youth were honored to speak about education and prevention of tobacco use within the local community during the Okeechobee County Legislative Delegation meeting. In attendance was Senator Grall, Representative Kaylee Tuck, as well as local elected officials within Okeechobee County.

Okeechobee High School SWAT President Edith Ramirez presented information on tobacco use in Okeechobee County, the importance of prevention and education on the harmful effects of nicotine addiction, steps that her SWAT club is taking on the youth vaping crisis, and outreach efforts of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee. Ramirez stressed that she fears her generation will be highly impacted by the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices and she encouraged elected officials locally and statewide to take action before this becomes a teen vaping epidemic.

Representative Kaylee Tuck, a former member of her local SWAT club, along with Senator Grall and the other meeting attendees were impressed with the information presented as well as the professionalism of the SWAT members. (Read More)


Pictured from L-R: Senator Erin Grall, SWAT youth Johana Hernandez,
SWAT youth Edith Ramirez, Representative Kaylee Tuck

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Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Club Participates in Club Rush At Okeechobee High School
September 7, 2023

On September 7th, 2023, Okeechobee High School S.W.A.T. club members participated in Club Rush. This school-sponsored event is an opportunity for clubs to showcase what is in store for membership during the school year.

Okeechobee S.W.A.T. youth focused their booth on their service to the community and ability to affect change on a state level.  They displayed photos of past events and brochures, offered giveaways, and encouraged other students to join. Okeechobee High School S.W.A.T. club is excited to begin another year of fun, education, and service!

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible! For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Speaks to IRSC Expanding Horizons Summer Camp
July 17, 2023

On July 17th, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee was invited to speak to the Indian River State College (IRSC) Expanding Horizons Summer Youth Program. Program Manager Courtney Moyett and Tobacco Prevention Specialist Kelly Owens presented to fifteen Okeechobee youth about our Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) program and opportunities, tobacco use, social justice and health equity as it relates to tobacco use. 

“Big Tobacco has targeted minority groups for decades through shady marketing practices and tobacco profiling. Speaking to a largely minority group of students about ways to recognize these practices and understand their long-term effects on the community was a privilege,” says Moyett. 

After discussing the various SWAT projects, clubs and opportunities, information was shared about minority group use of tobacco, menthol cigarette marketing, and tobacco related diseases and death rate disparities between races and ethnicities. Students participated in a scavenger hunt to match questions and answers related to tobacco facts and earned SWAT club swag for their participation. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee Becomes a First-Time Sponsor of the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show
April 15, 2023

Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee is happy to begin a new partnership with the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show (OYLS) for the year of 2023 by sponsoring this year’s event.  OYLS runs concurrently each year in Okeechobee County with the annual fair.  This allows thousands of residents to attend and support the initiatives of both organizations throughout the week of spring break.

To further our partnership, and help educate attendees, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County choose to become a 2023 Sponsor. Representatives from the TFP and SWAT Youth Ambassadors were present and had the opportunity to network, interact, and educate with attendees one-on-one within the arena.

This event gave the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and SWAT Youth the opportunity to reach a very large crowd where tobacco use is a social norm. It provided members the chance to better educate attendees on the initiatives and goals of the TFP, as well as share Quit Your Way information.

  THE OKEECHOBEE YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW, INC. is a not-for-profit organization seeking to promote and educate the young people of Okeechobee County, primarily in the field of agriculture and community development, since 1969. The foundation of our organization is our annual Livestock Show and Sale held at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center in March of every year. This weeklong event is full of livestock show activities and culminates on the third Saturday of March with a livestock auction. The participants, approximately 300 students from 5 to 18 years old, are local youth who proudly show the animals they have raised as an Okeechobee 4-H or FFA project. Upon entry to the show, the animals are on display for the patrons of the Okeechobee County Fair to enjoy throughout the week. The students exhibit their rabbits, poultry, goats, beef breeding cattle, steers, swine, and dairy cattle for the coveted title of Grand Champion. In addition, the exhibitors also compete in a showmanship contest and a herdsman competition. Read More    

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Participate in Park Cleanup
April 1, 2023

Recently, Okeechobee SWAT Club planned, organized, and completed a multi-park clean up focused on tobacco litter and to bring awareness of the importance of tobacco free park policies.

Club members split into 2 groups and met at parks across Okeechobee County to pick up litter in order to beautify our public spaces. While the crews focused on tobacco litter, i.e., cigarette butts, cigarillo wrappers and plastic mouthpieces, disposable vapes, etc., they were encouraged to pick up all trash found in the area.

Students were surprised at how much tobacco litter is present in our parks and playgrounds, and this was an excellent opportunity for them to witness tobacco's harmful effects on our environment. The project was so well received, the SWAT Club members are planning an additional clean up before the end of the school year.

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club 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. Maybe you’re asking yourself, what does our club do in our community? 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. We do this by advocating for changes in local policies that affect how tobacco is marketed, how it is sold, and where it can be used. SWAT members can expect to participate in a wide range of activities including community education and outreach, public speaking, collecting data, and media advocacy.

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco Attend Local Legislative Delegation Meeting
February 1, 2023

On February 1, 2023, Okeechobee County SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) youth were honored to speak about education and prevention of tobacco use within the local community during the Okeechobee County Legislative Delegation meeting.

As the youngest presenter at the meeting, community-based club president, Hannah O’Neal gave information on the dangers of tobacco use and importance of early prevention within the youth. Amairani Hernandez, a member of the Okeechobee High School club, spoke about the importance of tobacco free parks and gave a personal testimony on the negative impacts vaping has had on a young member of her family.

Representative Kaylee Tuck, a former member of her local SWAT club, along with Senator Grall and the other meeting attendees were impressed with the information presented as well as the professionalism of the SWAT members.

SWAT aims to empower, educate, and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible! For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or email Tobacco Prevention Specialist Alex Tijerina at ATijerina@QuitDoc.com

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Okeechobee SWAT Chapter Celebrates Not A Lab Rat Day
October 19, 2022

On October 19th, 2022, Okeechobee SWAT Clubs celebrated Not a Lab Rat Day (NALR). Not A Lab Rat Day was designed to bring awareness to e-cigarette use among youth, encourage youth to stand up against Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry, and to push for change within their communities. 

Okeechobee High School participated in a Lab Rat Scavenger Hunt, answering questions, and winning prizes. Additionally, youth completed NALR statements that showcased what they are rather than becoming Big Tobacco's generation of lab rats. Yearling Middle School created posters and decorated the halls with information about the dangers of vaping. Osceola Middle Schools recorded vaping facts to share school-wide.  

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible! For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee SWAT Welcomes Two New Advisors!
October 1, 2022

The Okeechobee County Students Working Agaist Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter has two new SWAT Advisors for the 2022-2023 school year! We are pleased to introduce these new youth leaders.

Yearling Middle School

Born and raised in Jamaica, Ms. Saleem Johnson has been a teacher for 10 years and joined Okeechobee County in 2021. She is an exchange teacher currently in her second year. She has taught numerous grades at the Green Island Primary school in Jamaica where she was the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) coordinator at her school. She currently teaches 6th English Language Arts (ELA) at Yearling Middle School. From a tender age, she fell in love with books and she is currently the sponsor for the Step Up Literacy Club at Yearling Middle School. She holds a bachelors in Language Education-Literacy Studies. Ms. Johnson is an enthusiastic and vibrant teacher and she is excited to lead the YMS SWAT Club and encourages all students to join the club and be educated about BIG Tobacco.       


Osceola Middle School

  Mr. Eric Degbor was born and raised in Ghana, a beautiful county in Western Sub Sahara Africa.  After high school, Mr. Degbor studied at St. Francis College of Education, training as a teacher of Science and Mathematics. He transferred to the University of Education, Winneba Ghana where he graduated with a Bachelors of Education in Mathematics and a minor in Information Technology.  After several years of teaching, he additionally earned a post-graduate certificate in Managment Information Systems and a Masters of Educational Leadership and Managment from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration GIMPA and University of Ghana respectively. Combined, Mr. Degbor has over 22 years of teaching experience. Read More    

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Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Club Participates in Club Rush
September 8, 2022

On September 8th, 2022, Okeechobee High School S.W.A.T. club members participated in Club Rush. This school-sponsored event is an opportunity for clubs to showcase what is in store for membership during the school year.

Okeechobee S.W.A.T. youth focused their booth on their service to the community and ability to affect change on a state level.  They displayed photos of past events and brochures, offered giveaways, and encouraged other students to join. Okeechobee High School S.W.A.T. club is excited to begin another year of fun, education, and service!
SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible! For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.
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Operation Dark Vapor in Okeechobee County 
August 24, 2022

On August 24, 2022, Corporal Jack Nash from the Okeechobee County Sheriff Office (OCSO), made a presentation to the attendees of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee about a recent project that members of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force conducted to combat the sale of E-Cigarette’s/Vape pens to underage minors.

Cpl. Nash spoke about “Operation Dark Vapor” which was an undercover operation that focused on the sale of Electronic Vape Product’s (EVPs) to underage minors from retailers in Okeechobee County. Cpl. Nash spoke about the ways that Big Tobacco targets the youth with their deceptive marketing and which stores were in violation for selling to minors.  Cpl. Nash said that this was a collaborative effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Okeechobee Police Department, and they together were able to target 10 stores and issue several criminal summons for the violation of sale to minors.  Cpl. Nash said this is just one small step in the mission to help our youth not become lifetime customers of Big Tobacco. Read More

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Tobacco Program Manager Honored as Prevention Hero
May 3, 2022

On May 3rd, 2022, Tobacco Program Manager, Courtney Moyett, was presented with the award for Okeechobee's Prevention Hero. This honor was bestowed by the Executive Director of Our Village of Okeechobee, Leah Suarez, as they geared up for Mental Health Awareness Month and National Prevention Week. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Our Village of Okeechobee recognized 5 members of the community for their work in the area of mental health.

Ms. Moyett was chosen due to her tireless work in the space of youth tobacco prevention and her continuous championing of mental health awareness in Okeechobee County. Ms. Suarez shared, "When it came to choosing a Prevention Hero for Okeechobee, it was actually very easy. Courtney is the voice of prevention in our community. She has worked with thousands of kids to teach them the danger of tobacco. She is creative, and her spirit resonates with all those she meets. We were so happy to name her our first Prevention Hero." Read More

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Providers and SWAT Youth Conduct Local Store Audits
April 20, 2022

Okeechobee County Tobacco Program staff were tasked with completing Tobacco Retailer Audits in over several months this spring. In an attempt to educate SWAT youth about marketing tactics employed by Big Tobacco at the point of sale, Provider staff provided training and invited SWAT youth to participate in the store audits.

Staff were accompanied by five SWAT members and surveyed several stores. The assigned audits took place at an array of retailers including convenience stores, pawn shops, and pharmacies. Staff and SWAT youth were tasked with answering many questions about tobacco marketing displays, products, and pricing.

This was an excellent opportunity to engage local young people and continue education related to nicotine marketing. While completing audits, surveyors found Electronic Vapor Products in reach of children and nicotine products marketed within inches of candy and toys.

     

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco.
Read More

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Members of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Present to The Okeechobee County School Board
April 12, 2022

On April 12, 2022, SWAT Club members Lizbeth Soriano and Melany Anton were invited to present to Okeechobee County School Board members on topics related to tobacco prevention in schools.

While they gave an overview of the types of activities and projects SWAT club members have participated in during the school year, the presentation focused on tobacco education as an alternative to suspension for tobacco infractions. Currently in Okeechobee County, the only discipline available to students found to be in possession of nicotine products on school property is suspension. Since suspension and expulsion do not address the issue of addiction, SWAT club members asked school board members to consider instituting the free Tobacco Prevention Program sponsored by the Florida Department of Health. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership Members Participate in Health and Safety Expo
April 1, 2022

On March 26th, 2022, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County (TFP) participated in the 15th Annual Health and Safety Expo. The purpose of the Health and Safety Expo is to educate Okeechobee County residents about the different private and non-profit organizations available locally to assist with healthcare and safety.

There were over 50 organizations in attendance. The TFP hosted an informational booth with games and prizes. SWAT youth assisted with “Activity Jenga” and gave out stress balls to participants. TFP volunteers were at the booth to educate expo attendees about the purpose of the partnership and give out "Quit Your Way" resources. The Health and Safety Expo was attended by over 1500 people from Okeechobee County.

 

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is dedicated to the creation of tobacco-free social norms through a combination of community education, youth advocacy and changes in local tobacco policies.  The mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County reflects the goals of the CDC Best Practices, especially in regard to changes in local tobacco policies to create and promote tobacco-free social norms.
Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership Presents at Rotary
February 1, 2022

On February 1st, 2022, Tobacco Program Manager Courtney Moyett and Tobacco Prevention Specialist Holly Mixon were invited to present at the Rotary Club of Okeechobee. Mixon and Moyett presented several policy areas of the local tobacco program but focused mainly on SWAT club activities and Tobacco Free Schools efforts. This was an excellent opportunity to introduce community members and stakeholders to the work towards tobacco free policies happening in their county.  Rotarians were invited to the next Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County if they wish to take a more active role in tobacco prevention and education locally. 

     

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is dedicated to the creation of tobacco-free social norms through a combination of community education, youth advocacy and changes in local tobacco policies.  The mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County reflects the goals of the CDC Best Practices, especially in regard to changes in local tobacco policies to create and promote tobacco-free social norms.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is facilitated by the QuitDoc Foundation. Learn more at www.quitdoc.com.  To learn more about the partnership or to get involved, visit: tfp-okeechobee.org or email Tobacco Prevention Specialist Holly Mixon at hmixon@quitdoc.com.

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Okeechobee SWAT Club Cleans Local Parks!
January 29, 2022

On January 29th, 2022, Okeechobee SWAT Club planned, organized, and completed a multi-park clean up focused on tobacco litter. Over 20 students participated in the project.

Club members split into 2 groups and met at parks across Okeechobee County to pick up litter in order to beautify our public spaces. While the crews focused on tobacco litter, i.e., cigarette butts, cigarillo wrappers and plastic mouthpieces, disposable vapes, etc., they were encouraged to pick up all trash found in the area.

Students were surprised at how much tobacco litter is present in our parks and playgrounds, and this was an excellent opportunity for them to witness tobacco's harmful effects on our environment. The project was so well received, the SWAT Club members are planning an additional clean up before the end of the school year. Read More

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Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Rings Bell for Salvation Army
January 2, 2022

Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) club wanted to find a way to serve their community during this Holiday season and thought what better way to give back then to ring the bell for Salvation Army. 

16 students, and one grumpy Grinch rang the bell at our local Publix and raised approximately $1,600 for the local Salvation Army.  The students dressed in their SWAT club shirts which gave them an opportunity to speak to customers about the mission and goals of the SWAT club.

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible!

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.comor contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Participates in Santa in the Park
January 1, 2022

The Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee and participated in the yearly tradition of Santa in the Park.

Each year, residents of Okeechobee can come out to City Park over the span of 7 days and have their pictures taken with Santa and speak to Santa about their Christmas wishes.  This year the SWAT club sponsored this event in order to allow more interaction with the youth and adults in attendance. The students dressed in their SWAT club shirts which gave them an opportunity to speak to attendees about the mission and goals of the SWAT club.

SWAT aims to empower, educate, and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

     

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.comor contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Program Manager, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee SWAT Members Speak at Legislative Delegation
November 9, 2021

On November 9th, 2021, members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee and youth from the SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club had the privilege to speak about tobacco prevention and education in Okeechobee County during our local Legislative Delegation meeting. 

Courtney Moyett, a member of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee gave an overview of the program then introduced two SWAT leaders to speak about their local tobacco prevention efforts in Okeechobee County.


Pictured from L-R: Courtney Moyett, Senator Ben Albritton,
Melany Anton,
Lizbeth Soriano, Representative Kaylee Tuck

SWAT President Melany Anton educated attendees on what the SWAT club does in Okeechobee County and tobacco prevention efforts on a local level.  SWAT President Lizbeth Soriano made a presentation about the benefits of having tobacco free parks in Okeechobee County and the ways that secondhand smoke exposure in the parks has affected her life. Read More

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Okeechobee Youth Will Not Be Big Tobacco's Experimental Lab Rats!
October 21, 2021

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) clubs across Okeechobee County participated in ‘Not a Lab Rat’ day on October 21, 2021. ‘Not a Lab Rat’ Day is a statewide initiative for SWAT youth to take a stand against Big Tobacco. SWAT’s goal is to bring awareness to e-cigarette use among youth, encourage youth to stand up against Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry and to push for change within their communities.

E-cigarette companies use the same tricks, including flavors and marketing campaigns, tobacco companies used for decades to target and recruit young smokers. This is not a surprise considering Big Tobacco companies own or have significantly invested in e-cigarette companies. These are the same tobacco companies that for decades lied about the addictiveness and health effects of cigarettes.

     

These products have become popular among Florida youth. Currently, one in four high schoolers and one in ten middle schoolers have used an electronic cigarette in the past thirty days. Not only do these devices contain nicotine, which is harmful to the developing brain, but the long-term health effects of these devices are unknown. SWAT will not stand by and let Big Tobacco treat fellow peers as lab rats to test these new products. Students in SWAT clubs across Okeechobee County has played an important role in educating peers about the dangers of electronic cigarettes and have challenged peers to live tobacco-free lives and join them in the stand against Big Tobacco.
Read More

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Learn About the Mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County!

The TFP of Okeechobee County consists of a variety of members across multiple sectors such as local non-profits, Okeechobee County School District, Okeechobee County and The City of Okeechobee staff, local law enforcement, and many other private businesses. We know grassroots efforts of our community help implement policy interventions, and to that end we are continually seeking to expand our partnership. We advertise regularly in local media to recruit new members and raise awareness of our work.

A Key element of prevention strategies is to build partnerships and strengthen coalitions. Comprehensive statewide tobacco control programs must coordinate community-level interventions that counter tobacco industry marketing and mobilize communities to ultimately lead to social norm and behavior changes. Our partnership and its’ members are a key part in making this change and educating the public about the broader context of tobacco related diseases, which can further mobilize public support for tobacco-free policies.

The TFP of Okeechobee County consists of a variety of members across multiple sectors such as local non-profits, Okeechobee County School District, Okeechobee County and The City of Okeechobee staff, local law enforcement, and many other private businesses. We know grassroots efforts of our community help implement policy interventions, and to that end we are continually seeking to expand our partnership. We advertise regularly in local media to recruit new members and raise awareness of our work.

Our newsletter outlines the work we do in our community and is aligned with CDC Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program. For more information on CDC Best Practices, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/guides/index.htm

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SWAT Club Represented in the Okeechobee High School Homecoming Parade
October 1, 2021

 

On September 30, 2021, SWAT Club President, Melany Anton, represented the Okeechobee High School Club in the Homecoming parade as a Miss Brahman candidate.  Each candidate is chosen by a group of people outside of the school family to be a representative of their club.  Melany Anton said: “It is an honor to be nominated for Miss Brahman.  SWAT club mission and goals is something that I take seriously, and I am passionate about.  I am honored to be chosen to represent my club in the parade.”

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club 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. Read More

   

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Goes to Summer Camp
July 27, 2021

On July 27th, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee was invited to speak to the Indian River State College (IRSC) Expanding Horizons Summer Youth Program. Program Manager Courtney Moyett and Tobacco Prevention Specialist Holly Mixon presented to fifteen Okeechobee youth about our Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) program and opportunities, tobacco use, social justice and health equity as it relates to tobacco use. 

“Big Tobacco has targeted minority groups for decades through shady marketing practices and tobacco profiling. Speaking to a largely minority group of students about ways to recognize these practices and understand their long-term effects on the community was a privilege,” says Holly Mixon. 

After discussing the various SWAT projects, clubs and opportunities, information was shared about minority group use of tobacco, menthol cigarette marketing, and tobacco related diseases and death rate disparities between races and ethnicities. Students participated in a scavenger hunt to match questions and answers related to tobacco facts and earned SWAT club swag for their participation. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee speaks at City Council on Importance of Tobacco Free Parks
July 20, 2021

Members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members spoke about Tobacco Free Parks at the City Council Meeting on July 20th, 2021.  SWAT members spoke about the importance of tobacco free parks and then shared personal experience about secondhand smoke exposure at local parks.  SWAT members concluded their presentation with a call to action to encourage the City of Okeechobee to consider tobacco free parks.


Pictured is SWAT Club President Lizbeth

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is dedicated to the creation of tobacco-free social norms through a combination of community education, youth advocacy and changes in local tobacco policies.  The mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County reflects the goals of the CDC Best Practices, especially in regard to changes in local tobacco policies to create and promote tobacco-free social norms.


Pictured is Mayor Dowling Watford, City of Okeechobee Council Members,
Courtney Moyett, and SWAT youth Lizbeth and Riley.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is facilitated by the QuitDoc Foundation.  Learn more at www.quitdoc.com.  To learn more about the partnership or to get involved, visit www.TFP-Okeechobee.org.

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Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Club Celebrates Independence Day in Okeechobee
July 4, 2021

July 4th, 2021,  Okeechobee’s SWAT Club members and tobacco prevention staff participated in the 9th Annual Independence Day Celebration at Okeechobee’s Agri-Civic Center. The Okeechobee Independence Day Celebration is hosted by the Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police and is free to the public.  The event features fun games, watermelon eating contests, activities hosted by local non-profits, giveaways, and ends with an exciting fireworks display. 

SWAT members arranged a festively decorated display booth of SWAT club information, the dangers of Vaping, and tobacco education near the entrance of the event. SWAT members hosted a bracelet making activity that attracted youth of all ages and adults alike.  While youth sat down to participate in the activity that allowed SWAT youth and staff an opportunity to speak with youth about what the SWAT club does, reasons to join and encourage their parents to allow their youth to get involved. 

The Independence Day Celebration regularly attracts 5000 attendees making it an excellent opportunity for exposure and to engage with and educate the community on tobacco prevention and SWAT club education. Read More

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QuitDoc Foundation Welcomes Holly Mixon to the Okeechobee Team
July 1, 2021

QuitDoc Foundation is excited to announce Holly Mixon as a new member to the Okeechobee Tobacco Prevention staff team.  Holly Mixon will work alongside existing staff, Courtney Moyett, to enhance the Tobacco Prevention Services offered in Okeechobee County.

"I am so excited to join the incredible QuitDoc team as Okeechobee's newest Tobacco Prevention Specialist," said Holly. "QuitDoc's mission to improve community health and wellness through curtailing the use of tobacco and nicotine products in youth and adults is so important in a small, rural community. I couldn't be more ready to help accomplish this goal through education and outreach."

Holly Mixon came to Okeechobee 14 years ago, after meeting her husband JD, an Okeechobee lifetime resident. Originally from Tennessee, with a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from University of Tennessee, Holly has a passion for cultivating plants and is a Professional Bonsai Artist. Since moving to Okeechobee in 2007, she has been involved with various community organizations, volunteering, founding non-profits with goals directed at community improvement, and accepting leadership roles over the years. Holly also has professional experience in community public relations, management, and education. In her down time Holly is a marathon runner, youth dance teacher with a love of all thing’s health and fitness. Holly is married to her husband of 14 years, JD, a lifelong Okeechobee resident. They share two young daughters, Grey and Poppy. Read More

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Hosts End of Year Awards Banquet
May 21, 2021

Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) chapter partnered with Our Village Okeechobee (OVO) to host an end of year awards banquet to recognize the graduating seniors, and underclassman on their outreach efforts over this past school year.

SWAT members have worked hard to leave their mark on campus and throughout their community this school year.  Although this school year did not go as planned due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, many stepped up and out of their comfort zones to still make a difference in Okeechobee County.

During the 2020 - 2021 school year, Okeechobee County SWAT youth participated in several activities to educate and inform their peers, school staff and community members about the dangers of tobacco use and a specific focus on e-cigarettes.  These activities were celebrated along with Not a Lab Rat Day, Red Ribbon Week, Through with Chew Week, and Tobacco Free Florida Week.  Through these activities, SWAT youth were able to educate about smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, the youth E-Epidemic, the SWAT program, and point of sale initiatives.

To our outgoing seniors, we are so very proud of all you have accomplished over the last four years.  You have made an impact and set the bar extremely high for those that will follow you.  We are truly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you and to see your growth over the last four years and know that your futures will all be bright.  Thank you for your commitment, efforts, love for community and leadership this year and thank you for making SWAT in Okeechobee County such a success. Read More

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Participated in the "Live" County Fair!
April 3, 2021

The Okeechobee County Fair and Youth Livestock show is back, and residents are happy to finally attend community events.  This year’s fair and livestock show had record attendance, in excess of 25,000 attendees of the fair alone, and the Tobacco Free Partnership was excited to be a part of this event. The fair was held March 16th through March 21st and the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee was thrilled to partner with the fair for the 3rd year and offer breathe easy zones and signage at the fair.

To further our partnership, and help educate attendees, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County choose to become a 2021 Sponsor. In addition to signage on the ticket booth and inside the fairgrounds, our members were able to set up an educational area, which gave members the opportunity to welcome and greet attendees and livestock show participants as they entered the event.  Representatives from the TFP and SWAT Youth Ambassadors were present and had the opportunity to network, interact, and educate with attendees one-on-one within the arena.

This event gave the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and SWAT Youth the opportunity to reach a very large crowd where tobacco use is a social norm. It provided members the chance to better educate attendees on the initiatives and goals of the TFP, as well as share Quit Your Way information.

     

“It was a wonderful opportunity to engage and educate community organizations, local businesses, elected officials and community members on the goals and objectives of the SWAT Program and our local tobacco education program.” Says Courtney Moyett, Tobacco Prevention Specialist. “It serves as a great platform to educate and empower our community members to learn more and become involved in tobacco initiatives in Okeechobee County to help prevent another generation of tobacco addiction.” Read More

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Tobacco Free Florida Encourages Communities to Quit Chew Tobacco During "Through With Chew Week"
February 28, 2021

Okeechobee, Fla. – This Through With Chew Week, Feb. 21 - 27, Tobacco Free Florida and QuitDoc Foundation are encouraging smokeless tobacco users to set a quit date. Each year, Through With Chew Week raises awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use (chew, dip and snus) and the effective tools available to quit.


Courtney Moyett with the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee accepts Resolution from Commissioner Bradley Goodbread

 

Smokeless tobacco is not harmless and can lead to nicotine addiction. Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas, as well as increased risk of death from heart disease or stroke. Smokeless tobacco can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth (leukoplakia) that can lead to cancer. It can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

This year Okeechobee County will be spreading the message of Through With Chew Week at the Board of County Commission meeting on February 25, 2021 at 9am.

   

Those looking to quit tobacco can create a personalized quit plan using Tobacco Free Florida’s free Quit Your Way tools and services. The Quit Your Way program offers free tools and services like Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails. Free nicotine replacement therapy – nicotine patches, gum or lozenges – are available to tobacco users who are 18 or older, if medically appropriate.

For more information on quitting tobacco, you can call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669) or visit tobaccofreeflorida.com.

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Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Participates in Santa in the Park
January 5, 2021

Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) club partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee and participated in the yearly tradition of Santa in the Park.  Each year, residents of Okeechobee can come out to City Park over the span of 5 days and have their pictures taken with Santa and speak to Santa about their Christmas wishes.  This year the SWAT club sponsored this event in order to allow more interaction with the youth and adults in attendance. The students dressed in their SWAT club shirts which gave them an opportunity to speak to attendees about the mission and goals of the SWAT club.

     

SWAT aims to empower, educate, and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Prevention Specialist, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Continues Community Education and Outreach
December 11, 2020

In “Pre-Covid-19” years, finding local activities to sponsor and support has never been an issue.  However, since the Covid-19 Pandemic began, the number of events happening in Okeechobee has been limited. So, when member of the Tobacco Free Partnership (TFP) of Okeechobee heard that the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee is going to continue on with the Santa in the Park event, we jumped on the opportunity to sponsor this wonderful event. 

This event is free to the community, Kids and family members get a chance to come and talk with Santa, and then get a free printed out picture with Santa.  A Kiwanis representative said, “Although the set up will be different than years past, we are excited that we found a way to still allow families to see Santa and get a picture with him.  In years past, children would sit with Santa on a sleigh to get their pictures.  This year Santa will be in a chair alone, and children will sit on socially distant boxes wrapped like presents in order to get a safe picture with Santa.  This event has always been outside in open door spaces, so making socially distant modifications were an easy work around.”

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee sponsored the event and spoke to parents and youth about how community members can help establish policy change within our community that promotes tobacco free social norms.

For more information on local tobacco prevention efforts or to join the partnership, visit our website at www.TFP-Okeechobee.org or contact Courtney Moyett at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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We Will Not be Big Tobacco’s Experimental Lab Rats! We are SWAT!
October 21, 2020

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) clubs across Okeechobee County participated in ‘Not a Lab Rat’ day on October 21, 2020. ‘Not a Lab Rat’ Day is a statewide initiative for SWAT youth to take a stand against Big Tobacco. SWAT’s goal is to bring awareness to e-cigarette use among youth, encourage youth to stand up against Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry and to push for change within their communities.

E-cigarette companies use the same tricks, including flavors and marketing campaigns, tobacco companies used for decades to target and recruit young smokers. This is not a surprise considering Big Tobacco companies own or have significantly invested in e-cigarette companies. These are the same tobacco companies that for decades lied about the addictiveness and health effects of cigarettes.

These products have become popular among Florida youth. Currently, one in four high schoolers and one in ten middle schoolers have used an electronic cigarette in the past thirty days. Not only do these devices contain nicotine, which is harmful to the developing brain, but the long-term health effects of these devices are unknown. SWAT will not stand by and let Big Tobacco treat fellow peers as lab rats to test these new products. Student’s in SWAT clubs across Okeechobee County has played an important role in educating peers about the dangers of electronic cigarettes and have challenged peers to live tobacco-free lives and join them in the stand against Big Tobacco.
Read More

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A Pandemic Will Not Stop the work of Tobacco Prevention in Okeechobee County
September 14, 2020

It has been approximately 6 months since the outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the way we function, live and work.  I think everyone can agree that these months have been challenging and have forced us to think outside of the box to continue the work that thrives on community engagement. Schools were closed for weeks, then moved to virtual education, people stayed at home, and most gatherings turned to virtual means using Zoom or conference calls to continue meeting.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee (TFP) and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) usually hold several meetings over the course of a few months, so we had to work together to try to stay connected and working in the community during these trying times.  Our TFP hit the ground running, continuing to hold our meetings as scheduled but now in a virtual format.  In the beginning partners were excited to see everyone and loved that we were being able to stay connected. Fast forward 6 months later, and many partners and youth are experiencing Virtual burnout.  Adults and youth are expected to spend their days online in virtual meetings and many students are still attending school virtually.  The Okeechobee program had to find ways to over this burnout barrier and still get adults and youth to participate in what they now consider “optional” activities and meetings.

Our Partnership members have continued to participate in our program virtually, but the numbers continue to slowly decline.  So, our TFP decided to have some fun on each webinar and make them a themed meeting.  Each member was asked to dress as the theme for the meeting.  Our first “themed” partnership meeting was a Hawaiian theme, almost all participants came dressed like a tropical oasis, even the Mayor of Okeechobee wore his Hawaiian shirt!  Our next meeting was around the time of the college football program discussion, so we decided to have a “support your favorite college football team” meeting.  Of course, that sparked many fun debates over the Gators and Seminole fans. HA.
Read More

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Meet Brandi Burlingame, Our New SWAT Advisor at Okeechobee High School!
September 7, 2020

Okeechobee High School is excited to announce their new SWAT Club Advisor for school year 2020-2021, Ms. Brandi Burlingame.

  Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Ms. Burlingame has been a teacher in Okeechobee County since 2006.  She has taught Middle School gifted, High School Spanish and currently teaches Spanish and Anthropology. Ms. Burlingame was an exchange student in Veracruz, Mexico during her junior year of high school and that is where she fell in love with the Spanish language and Mexican culture.  After her experience as an exchange student Ms. Burlingame returned to Pennsylvania where she earned her B.A. in Spanish and Anthropology, then her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.     

Ms. Burlingame is excited to lead the OHS SWAT Club and encourages all students from each learning platform to jump in and join the club.

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club 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. Read More

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Counteracting Tobacco Marketing at Retailers in Okeechobee County
June 5, 2020

We as Floridians are encountering something that kills an average of three Floridians an hour, every hour of every day. It’s being colorfully promoted and is readily available at a place you visit frequently – your local convenience store or gas station. It’s tobacco products like cigarettes, dip and chew. And tobacco companies spend billions of dollars a year to market these addictive products at the “point of sale” – retail locations where tobacco products are sold. 

The tobacco industry spends the vast majority of their marketing money in the retail environment – over $1 million/hour to promote their products, in which, most of their marketing efforts are aimed directly to our kids. Essentially, the tobacco industry is buying shelf space to keep tobacco visible and offering price discounts to keep tobacco cheap. These companies are no fools, what they are really “buying” is youth who initiate the use of tobacco products and adults who cannot quit.

In efforts to combat these marketing tactics, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) has been digging dip in the retail realm of the tobacco industry for the past several years conducting local Tobacco Retail Assessments, store audits, meeting with retailers to ensure compliance, as well as educating decision makers and partners with our findings. Read More

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Says Goodbye to its Senior Members!
May 27, 2020

A big congratulation is in order for 32 seniors from the Okeechobee High School SWAT Club who earned a SWAT Club cord to wear at graduation.  Seniors who qualified to earn the cord had to meet a rigorous set of expectations in order to be awarded the cord. SWAT Club uses the cords to attract new members at the beginning of each year during their club rush event.


Alize Merchant

Angelina & Xandy

Brandon Mitchell
 

Brenda Sixto


Brook Watford
 

Many students join SWAT because they have parents or loved ones who are tobacco users and want to break the cycle of addiction in their family and educate other.  Others join the SWAT club because they enjoy the community events and giving back to their community. Read More

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Tobacco Free Florida Encourages Communities to Quit Chew Tobacco During "Through With Chew Week"
February 13, 2020

Okeechobee, Fla.This Through With Chew Week, Feb. 16-22, Tobacco Free Florida and QuitDoc Foundation are encouraging smokeless tobacco users to set a quit date. Each year, Through With Chew Week raises awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use (chew, dip and snus) and the effective tools available to quit.

Smokeless tobacco is not harmless and can lead to nicotine addiction (1). Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas, as well as increased risk of death from heart disease or stroke (2,3). Smokeless tobacco can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth (leukoplakia) that can lead to cancer (4). It can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss (5,6).


Okeechobee County Tobacco Prevention Specialist
Courtney Moyett and Commissioner Bradley Goodbread

This year Okeechobee County will be spreading the message of Through With Chew Week at the Board of County Commission meeting on February 13, 2019 at 9am. Read More

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and Tobacco Free Partnership Participate in Health and Safety Expo
January 25, 2020

On Saturday January 25th members of the Okeechobee SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Chapter and members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee Participated in the 13th Annual Health and Safety Expo.

This event is free for residents of Okeechobee to attend and was held at the Agri-Civic Center. Attendees visited each booth to learn about their message of health and wellness.

The SWAT youth spoke to over 1,500 attendees about SWAT’s mission which is to empower youth to de-glamorize Big Tobacco and to work towards a tobacco free future.  SWAT youth also lead participants in making homemade stress balls out of balloons and flour. Read More

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Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Participates in Santa in the Park
January 1, 2020

Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) club partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee and participated in the yearly tradition of Santa in the Park.  Each year, residents of Okeechobee can come out to City Park over the span of 7 days and have their pictures taken with Santa and speak to Santa about their Christmas wishes.  This year the SWAT club sponsored this event in order to allow more interaction with the youth and adults in attendance. The students dressed in their SWAT club shirts which gave them an opportunity to speak to customers about the mission and goals of the SWAT club. 

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

     

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Prevention Specialist, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Rings Bell for Salvation Army
December 9, 2019

Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) club wanted to find a way to serve their community during this Holiday season and thought what better way to give back then to ring the bell for Salvation Army.  Twenty-Four students rang the bell at our local Publix over the period of two days and raised approximately $1,800.  The students dressed in their SWAT club shirts which gave them an opportunity to speak to customers about the mission and goals of the SWAT club. 

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Prevention Specialist, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Yearling Middle School SWAT Club Celebrates the Annual Great American Smokeout
November 21, 2019

Yearling Middle School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club brought awareness to the cost of smoking and the benefits of quitting tobacco by celebrating the Great American Smokeout.

Addiction to nicotine in cigarettes is one of the strongest and most deadly addictions one can have. Quitting is hard, it takes commitment and starts with a plan, often takes more than one quit attempt, and requires a lot of support. Often, the younger one was when he or she started to smoke, the more intense the addiction.

For more than 40 years, the Great American Smokeout has been observed on the third Thursday of November.  The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to commit to healthy, smoke -free lives – not just for a day, but year-round. Read More

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The Importance of Creating Comprehensive Tobacco-free Worksite Policies
November 14, 2019

It is no secret that tobacco use is harmful. Despite our knowledge of the multitude of carcinogens and toxins in tobacco, people still use it during work hours. According to the Center for Disease control, tobacco use in the workplace accounts for the most lost worker productivity compared to other causes such as family emergencies or alcohol abuse (1).

Tobacco use and recreational nicotine use via e-cigarettes at work can cost employers money. The loss of productivity for a business with smokers is estimated to cost $4,056 in productivity and $2,056 in medical costs per year (2).

Businesses that create tobacco-free campus policies protect the health and wellbeing of employees. This type of campus wide policy may encourage employees who use tobacco to quit the habit, especially if the campus tobacco-free policy includes cessation help for those who currently use tobacco or recreational nicotine products like e-cigarettes. This is important because In Okeechobee County, of the 17.7% of adults who currently smoke, 48% of them have tried to stop in the last year (3).

A worksite wellness trend in the U.S. is companies providing expanded services for employee wellness programs. In fact, recent studies show that 74% of businesses are considering increasing programs (4). Seventy percent of employers who have established wellness programs found them to be cost-effective (5). Tobacco Free Grounds policies also support employees in their attempts to quit, helping them to change their habits and avoid temptations to smoke. The trend across the State of Florida is businesses creating tobacco-free campus policies and enhanced worksite wellness policies that include cessation coverage. Now, most college campuses are tobacco-free as are many hospitals in the State of Florida.
Read More

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Okeechobee High School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Attend Regional Training
October 19, 2019

Florida’s Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) program hosts regional youth meetings annually where SWAT members from various counties come together to learn new information and skills.

SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett and four of her SWAT Club student leaders from Okeechobee High School attended the Region 4 SWAT Training on October 19th, 2019 at the Broward County Health Department in Fort Lauderdale Florida.

This year’s focus was centered on the E-Cigarette Epidemic.  The youth were educated on the basics of E-Cigarette’s, harmful flavors, and ways that they could help make a difference in their community.  The youth also attended breakout sessions focused around Public Speaking and how to become a SWATvocate.  Finally, they wrapped up the day with playing “Are you smarter than a YAB member.” Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County appoints 2019-2020 Advisory Council
August 15, 2019

Okeechobee, Fla. — The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County, a coalition of community members focused on the prevention of tobacco use, has appointed its 2019-2020 Advisory Council.  Advisory Council members assume a leadership role in regards to tobacco control and advocacy, education, prevention and policy change in Okeechobee County.

This year’s advisory council members include Daniel Rickards of Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition, Pam Duenas of Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition, Candace Pope, Erin Moore of Shared Services Network of Okeechobee, and Ken Keller of WOKC Glades Media.


Advisory Council member Daniel Rickards shares tobacco prevention information at a local event.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County is dedicated to the creation of tobacco-free social norms through a combination of community education, youth advocacy and changes in local tobacco policies.  The mission of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County reflects the goals of the CDC Best Practices, especially in regards to changes in local tobacco policies to create and promote tobacco-free social norms.
Read More

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Says Goodbye to its Senior Members!
June 11, 2019

A big congratulation is in order for 28 seniors from the Okeechobee High School SWAT Club who earned a SWAT Club honor cord to wear at graduation.  Seniors who qualified to earn the cord had to meet a rigorous set of expectations in order to be awarded the cord. SWAT Club uses the cords to attract new members at the beginning of each year during their club rush event.

Many students join SWAT because they have parents or loved ones who are tobacco users and want to break the cycle of addiction in their family and educate other.  Others join the SWAT club because they enjoy the community events and giving back to their community.

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. Read More

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Empowering the NEXXT Generation at the Statewide SWAT Meeting
June 9, 2019

The Florida Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Program held their statewide meeting June 7-9, 2019 and members from across the state attended to represent their county SWAT programs and network with their peers from other regions. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together youth from each of Florida’s 67 counties for a weekend of learning, teambuilding, anti-tobacco advocacy, and engage them around the theme of “NEXXT.” The Florida SWAT program is celebrating its 20th anniversary, so the theme of the meeting incorporated the Roman numeral for twenty, XX.


From L to R: Cheska Magdadaro Club President; Mariah Spelts Okeechobee County YAB youth

Additionally, during this meeting, the youth in attendance held an election for their regional representatives to serve on the statewide SWAT Youth Advocacy Board (YAB). The YAB is a sixteen-member group of SWAT students who are elected annually by their peers to serve as regional representatives and youth advisors for the statewide tobacco program. There are four representatives elected for each of Florida’s four tobacco control regions, and at this year’s statewide meeting, the members of the YAB received a World No Tobacco Day award from the World Health Organization for their work to create a statewide Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) awareness campaign called Not a Lab Rat. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Once Again Sponsors Grad Night
May 31, 2019

The community of Okeechobee has united once again to offer our best wishes to our high school graduates by hosting the annual all-night Grad Night celebration on May 31st, 2019. The celebration is open to all Okeechobee graduating seniors and one pre-approved guest of their choice.

Grad Night is organized by a local committee and supported by: Our Village Okeechobee, the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Rotary Club, Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition and many other local businesses. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County was honored to help sponsor this year's event, which creates a drug-and-alcohol free event for local high school graduates.

Grad Night begins one hour after the high school graduation ceremony ends.  This year’s event is being held at the convention hall at the Okeechobee KOA.  Graduating seniors attend the event with a pre-approved guest of the choice.  Upon arrival each student is checked in and given a wristband, the students are not permitted outside of the building during the entire event, and they are not permitted to return to the event once they leave. By not allowing the students to leave and return, and not allowing the students to obtain their prizes until the next morning it encourages the youth to stay the entire time of the event. During Grad Night the students are fed meals, play games all night in which they win tickets for prizes at the end of the event.  The event is over at 3am the following morning, at which time the ticket can be redeemed for over ten thousand dollars’ worth of prizes, 2 scholarships to IRSC and several cash prizes provided by the Brighton Seminole Tribe. Read More

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Students Working Against Tobacco Youth Advisory Board Plans Statewide Meeting
February 24, 2019

On February 22-24, 2019 Okeechobee SWAT youth Mariah Spelts attended the SWAT Statewide Youth Advisory Board face to face meeting in Leesburg Florida.  Mariah is one of 12 youth across the state of Florida who were chosen to sit on the SWAT state youth board. 


Pictured L to R: Region 4 Youth Advisory Board members: Mariah (Okeechobee), Ashley (Dade) and Amanda (St. Lucie County).

During this meeting the youth spent the majority of their time planning the Statewide SWAT meeting which will be held in June and attended by every county in Florida. Youth also worked with a production company to shoot a video that will be shown at the meeting in June.

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Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners Proclaim February 18-24 as "Through With Chew Week"
February 14, 2019

Okeechobee County – On February 14, 2019 Okeechobee County Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee and Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) chapter was awarded a proclamation from the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners declaring February 18-24, 2019 Through with Chew Week. Through With Chew Week campaign’s objective is to educate people about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

Okeechobee High School SWAT President and Vice President spoke to the commission on smokeless tobacco use in local teens and provided data that Okeechobee youth have a rate of double the state average for youth who use smokeless tobacco on a daily basis.

Chewing tobacco contains at least 28 chemicals that have been found to cause cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Treating oral cancers can involve removal of tissue and bone including the tongue and jaw. Read More

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Helping Employees Quit Tobacco
By Leslie Spurlock
November 20, 2018

Employees are a valuable resource in every business. Although fewer people today are smoking, employees who smoke or vape* during work hours can cost employers $4,056 in lost productivity annually. This is a result of frequent smoke breaks, increased number of sick days, and distraction. Health care costs can increase by as much as $2,056 per smoking employee for a total of $6,112. A hidden cost is low morale among non-smokers who are likely being asked to cover for the co-worker who is outside smoking. Could this be your worksite?

Smoking is an addiction, not a habit. So how do employers help employees quit tobacco? Number one; employees are never asked to quit. Environment and a culture of support for wellness creates a climate of change for smokers. This is easily accomplished with a Tobacco Free Policy. Every business has a set of rules for employees regardless of industry. Every set of rules should include a policy addressing tobacco use while on duty or on property.

Developing a Tobacco Control Policy is a legal and moral responsibility. The Florida Clean Indoor Act (Florida Statute 386.201 – 386.2125) bans smoking in an enclosed indoor work place. A key requirement is for the person in charge of an enclosed indoor workplace to develop and implement a policy regarding smoking prohibitions. A well written policy protects non-smokers and offers smokers support via continuous cessation opportunities. The policy sets the expectation, promotes wellness, communicates cessation opportunities, and is equitable for all employees. Read More

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Yearling Middle School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Celebrate the Annual Great American Smokeout!
November 15, 2018

Yearling Middle School SWAT Club brought awareness to the cost of smoking and the benefits of quitting tobacco by celebrating the Great American Smokeout.

Addiction to nicotine in cigarettes is one of the strongest and most deadly addictions one can have. Quitting is hard, it takes commitment and starts with a plan, often takes more than one quit attempt, and requires a lot of support. Often, the younger one was when he or she started to smoke, the more intense the addiction.

For more than 40 years, the Great American Smokeout has been observed on the third Thursday of November.  The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to commit to healthy, smoke -free lives – not just for a day, but year-round. Read More
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Okeechobee Mayor Visits SWAT Club At Okeechobee High School
October 17, 2018

City of Okeechobee Mayor Dowling Watford Jr. visits Okeechobee High School and presents the SWAT club with a proclamation declaring October 17th, 2018, "Not A Lab Rat Day" which brings awareness to the harmful effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems and proclaimed this year (2018) the 20th Anniversary of the SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club program.

Pictured from L to R: Courtney Moyett SWAT Coordinator, Mariah Spelts SWAT Club President, Mayor Watford, Eric Swant SWAT Club Advisor, Dylan Tedders OHS principal.

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Florida’s statewide youth-led movement to combat the tobacco industry, announced the first-ever statewide observance to tackle youth electronic cigarette use. This year, Not A Lab Rat Day empowered youth to stand up to the e-cigarette industry and declare that they are not “Lab Rats” in discovering the harms and addictiveness of these products.

Some of the common myths are that e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine (1), that e-cigarettes are less addictive than conventional cigarettes (2), and that e-cigarettes are completely harmless.

The fact is that most e-cigarettes do contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. Additionally, e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents (3). Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes. Read More

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Counteracting Tobacco Marketing at Retailers in Okeechobee County
September 17, 2018

Over the past three years, volunteers and task force members in Okeechobee have been working on a pilot project in Okeechobee County with Counter Tools, an organization that provides technology tools, training, and technical assistance to public health practitioners and researchers who are working to enact and enforce policy, systems and environmental interventions to promote public health.

Task Force members have been working hard to assessing over 70 retailers in Okeechobee County, studying things like how they price tobacco products, where they are placed, and even access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  This past year, they worked with stores that have adopted an AVC (Assurances of Voluntary Compliance) agreement with the state to adhere to higher standards when it comes to tobacco marketing towards youth at the point of sale.

What did they discover? Read More

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SWAT Youth Filmed a SWAT Video and Held a Recruitment Event at Back to School Bash
July 28, 2018

On July 28, 2018, Our Village Okeechobee held their annual back to school expo where students from around Okeechobee County attended and received free backpacks and school supplies, as well as learned about resources and opportunities available to them at school and in the community.

The Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Program set up a booth at this event to reach the 700+ youth participants with tobacco prevention information and to recruit members for the school-based SWAT programs. 


Pictured are SWAT youth: Kristina, Mariah and Cheska

During this event the SWAT youth educated the attendees that this was the SWAT programs 20th Birthday and made a video saying “Happy Birthday SWAT Club” in 20 different languages. Read More

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Students Working Against Tobacco Youth Host an Activity at the Independence Day Celebration
July 4, 2018

On July 4th, 2018, local Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) youth from Okeechobee SWAT Chapter hosted a booth at the Independence Day Celebration where attendees were able to hone in on their creativity and paint rocks with tobacco prevention messages. 


Pictured are Okeechobee SWAT youth Cheska, Mariah, Wyatt and Kristina

SWAT youth educated the attendees on the new Not A Lab Rat Campaign that is focused on how Big Tobacco uses our youth as experimental Lab Rats when it comes to their use of E-Cigarettes and any ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery system) device.

Afterwards attendees chose a rock and painted a tobacco message that resonated with them.  SWAT youth assisted over 1,000 attendees during this event, and many kids and adults expressed how much they learned and enjoyed the activity.

For more information on the SWAT Program in Okeechobee County, contact Courtney Moyett at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee High School Youth Elected to Serve on the Statewide SWAT Youth Advocacy Board
June 10, 2018

At the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) regional meeting on June 9, Mariah Spelts of Okeechobee County was elected as a Region 4 Youth Advisory Board (YAB) representative by a consensus of SWAT Youth from Indian River County south to the Florida Keys.

SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth-led movement to combat the tobacco industry.  The SWAT Youth Advisory Board is a sixteen-member group of students who are elected annually by their peers to serve as regional representatives and youth advisors for the statewide tobacco program. There are four representatives elected for each of Florida’s four tobacco control regions.

The Youth Advocacy Board works in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to help plan SWAT organization’s direction and goals and provide input on the state’s youth prevention efforts. Students work with county grantees to support initiatives that educate their peers about tobacco use, help protect youth from tobacco, and strengthen local policies.

   

“I wanted to run for the state board because I see the problems that tobacco causes in my local community,” said Spelts. “I want to help create a new generation of youth that are tobacco free.” Read More

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Okeechobee High School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Attend Regional Training
June 9, 2018

Florida’s Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) program hosts regional youth meetings annually where SWAT members from various counties come together to learn new information and skills.

SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett and five of her SWAT Club student leaders from Okeechobee High School attended the Region 4 SWAT Training on June 9th, 2018 at the FAU Environmental Center in West Palm Beach.


Pictured from L to R: Kristina Jamison, Jacky Anton, SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett,
Cheska Magdadaro, Mariah Spelts, Alize Merchant

This year’s theme for the meeting was “I am not a lab rat” which focused on how Big Tobacco is using our youth to experiment on them with Electronic Cigarettes. The youth learned all about what Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDs or E-Cigarettes) are, different flavors of them, health implications of using, and marketing tactics used by Big Tobacco. Due to the astronomical rise in popularity of the E-Cigarette Juul, there was an entire learning session on what Juul is, how it differs from regular ENDS, how much nicotine is in each pod, and who Big Tobacco is marketing Juul to. The call to action for the ENDs campaign stresses the three E’s of ENDS: Educate, Empower, Enlist. Read More

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Graduating SWAT Seniors Recognized for Their Work on Local Tobacco Prevention Projects
June 1, 2018

A big congratulation is in order for 15 seniors of the Okeechobee High School SWAT Club who earned a SWAT Club honor cord to wear at graduation. 

Seniors who qualified to earn the cord had to meet a rigorous set of expectations in order to be awarded the cord. SWAT Club uses the cords to attract new members at the beginning of each year during their club rush event. Many students join SWAT because they have parents or loved ones who are tobacco users and want to break the cycle of addiction in their family and educate other.  Others join the SWAT club because they enjoy the community events and giving back to their community.


2018 Okeechobee High School SWAT seniors with Advisor Eric Swant

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. Maybe you’re asking yourself, what does our club do in our community? SWAT works to change the social norms associated with tobacco. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee Supports Grad Night
May 25, 2018

The community of Okeechobee has united once again to offer our best wishes to our high school graduates by hosting the annual all-night Grad Night celebration on May 25th, 2018. The celebration is open to all Okeechobee graduating seniors and one pre-approved guest of their choice.

Grad Night is organized by a local committee and supported by: Our Village Okeechobee, the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Rotary Club, Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition and many other local businesses. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County was honored to help sponsor this year's event, which creates a drug-and-alcohol free event for local high school graduates.


Pictured is Courtney Moyett Tobacco Prevention Specialist, and Grad Nite Committee Members

Grad Night begins one hour after the high school graduation ceremony ends.  This year’s event is being held at Chobee Skate and Play.  Graduating seniors attend the event with a pre-approved guest of the choice.  Upon arrival each student is checked in and given a wristband, the students are not permitted outside of the building during the entire event, and they are not permitted to return to the event once they leave. By not allowing the students to leave and return, and not allowing the students to obtain their prizes until the next morning it encourages the youth to stay the entire time of the event. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee Receives Proclamation for Through With Chew Week
February 6, 2018

Okeechobee High School SWAT Vice President Mariah Spelts and Okeechobee County Tobacco Prevention Specialist receive a Proclamation from the Okeechobee County Board of County Commission declaring February 18th through February 24th Through With Chew Week.  The proclamation brings awareness to the dangers of smokeless tobacco and highlighted local usage rates for Okeechobee County.

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. SWAT is a movement of empowered youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Their efforts aim to shape tobacco-free norms, make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, visit www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Prevention Specialist, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and Tobacco Free Partnership Participate in Health and Safety Expo
January 27, 2018

On Saturday January 27th members of the Okeechobee SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Chapter and members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee Participated in the 11th Annual Health and Safety Expo. 

This event is free for residents of Okeechobee to attend and was held at the Agri-Civic Center. Attendees visited each booth to learn about their message of health and wellness. 

 

The SWAT youth spoke to over 1,500 attendees about SWAT’s mission which is to empower youth to de-glamorize Big Tobacco and to work towards a tobacco free future.  SWAT youth also lead participants in line dancing and hula hooping contest to gain attendees participation.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee sponsored the event and spoke to participants about how community members can help establish policy change within our community that promotes tobacco free social norms.

For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts or to join the partnership, visit our website at www.tfp-okeechobee.org or contact Courtney Moyett at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

 

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SWAT Coordinator Participates in Okeechobee READS at North Elementary School
January 25, 2018

On January 25th, Okeechobee County SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett was honored to be invited to North Elementary to participate in Okeechobee READs. 

Moyett visited with Mrs. Hackett’s 5th grade class and educated them on what the SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club does in our community, and ways that they can join the local SWAT Chapter or a club next year when they move on to middle school.  Many of the students came equipped with questions about the SWAT club, community projects and the day in the life as a SWAT Coordinator.

Mrs. Moyett was then asked to read a book to the students and stress the importance of reading to our youth.  Moyett brought along her reading buddy, Stella Lynn and shared with the students her struggles of reading as a child and encouraged reading to an animal, which helped her overcome her fears of reading aloud in school. Read More

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Local Tobacco Prevention Advocates Share Information During Red Ribbon Week
October 27, 2017

On October 27, 2017 Courtney Moyett, Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Okeechobee County, teamed up with members from the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office and Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition to bring a unified message to the Students at Okeechobee Achievement Academy (OAA) centered around Red Ribbon Week.


Pictured (L to R): Courtney Moyett, Tobacco Prevention Specialist for QuitDoc Foundation, Roy Gilcrest with Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, and Daniel Rickards with Okeechobee Substance Abuse Coalition

Red Ribbon week serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention activities.  This year’s theme for Red Ribbon Week was “Your Future is Key, so stay drug free.” 

  Moyett explained to the students that you’re are the holder of your key, and only you can control what doors your key opens.  She explained that it is important to start teaching the youth at a young age the dangers of tobacco use, and educate them on how tobacco companies are marketing to our youth, trying to lure them into becoming full time tobacco users.  At the end of the presentation, Moyett asked the student to make a pledge to remain tobacco free by signing the pledge wall that will be displayed in the school during Red Ribbon Week. Read More  

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Local Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Attend Regional Training
October 14, 2017

SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett and two of her SWAT Club student leaders from Okeechobee High School attended the Region 4 SWAT Training on October 14, 2017 at Kaiser University in Port Saint Lucie.

Local youth leaders Alex Soriano and Araceli Garcia, attended the training, each bringing their own unique perspective to the day’s activities.  During the training, they developed and presented their “why” statements, sharing what drives them to stay tobacco-free and help take down the tobacco industry.

   

One of the day’s sessions included an in-depth look at e-cigarettes, and some of the myths and dangers associated with these projects.  The attendees created a message quilt with many of the common misperceptions surrounding e-cigarette use among youth in Florida.  During a brainstorming session, SWAT youth came up with a list of priorities and messages to communicate to other youth and to help prevent the use of e-cigarette products by their peers. Read More

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Okeechobee High School and SWAT Club Alumnus Chosen to Represent Okeechobee Nationally on Tobacco Prevention
August 20, 2017

OKEECHOBEE, FL- Wyatt Deihl, Okeechobee High School class of 2016 graduate, was one out of thirty students throughout the United States chosen to participate in the Truth Initiative Youth Activism Fellowship Program.

The Truth Initiative is dedicated to achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco.

As a Youth Advocate, I will be to absorb relevant knowledge concerning current tobacco laws and policies to enact a social paradigm shift in our community," said Deihl. "My involvement with the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Club and other organizations as a teen has led me to become a formidable tobacco free advocate, and I hope to learn more skills to bring back to our community in order to deface social tobacco norms and work towards creating the first tobacco free generation."

   

The fellowship program will afford Deihl the opportunity to travel the United States and speak with key decision makers.

Deihl first became involved in tobacco education and prevention when he joined the SWAT Club during his sophomore year at Okeechobee High School.  During his high school years, Deihl attended regional and statewide trainings, participated in several tobacco awareness holiday events and spoke to his local County Commissioner to earn a Proclamation for Tobacco Free Florida Week. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee sponsors 2017 Back to School Expo
July 22, 2017

Once again, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee sponsored and participated in the Back to School Expo. 

Our Village Okeechobee hosted the event, which was located at Okeechobee High School. The event was open to the public and there were 451 youth and 508 adults in attendance at the event. 

Partnership members and SWAT youth maned their area during the event and disseminated information on topics such as the dangers of smokeless tobacco, the effects of secondhand smoke, the role of our partnership in Okeechobee and how/why you should join, information on establishing tobacco free venue policies, and information on the local Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter. Read More

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Thirteen Students Working Against Tobacco Members Graduate from Okeechobee High School!
June 7, 2017

A big congratulation is in order for 13 seniors of the Okeechobee High School SWAT Club who earned a SWAT Club honor cord to wear at graduation.  Seniors who qualified to earn the cord had to meet a rigorous set of expectations in order to be awarded the cord. SWAT Club uses the cords to attract new members at the beginning of each year during their club rush event. Many students join SWAT because they have parents or loved ones who are tobacco users and want to break the cycle of addiction in their family and educate other.  Others join the SWAT club because they enjoy the community events and giving back to their community.

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. Maybe you’re asking yourself, what does our club do in our community? 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. Read More

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City of Okeechobee Proclaims May 7-13 as "Tobacco Free Florida Week"
May 16, 2017

Okeechobee County Celebrated Tobacco Free Florida Week by being awarded a proclamation from the City of Okeechobee.  Tobacco prevention staff Courtney Moyett and Okeechobee High School SWAT Club member Mariah Spelts were presented with the award by Mayor Dowling Watford Jr..  Mayor Watford congratulated Moyett on her work in the community and allowed them a moment to address the council.  Moyett thanked the council for their continued support and allowed Spelts to speak about this year’s theme “The Cost of Smoking.”

  Did you know that smokers die an average of 10 years earlier than nonsmokers? In Florida, 30% of all cancer deaths are due to smoking. Some smokers live with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or another smoking related illness that reduces the quality of life for those individuals. Besides the health costs of smoking, many people don’t consider the financial costs of smoking. For a person who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day in Florida, it can cost $2000 per year. Since 90% of smokers first tried using cigarettes by age 18, imagine the lifetime cost of smoking over the years. In just five years, $10,000 will be spent on cigarettes for a pack-a-day smoker. What could you do with $10,000? Tobacco use costs thousands of dollars for families each year.  
    Read More  
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The QuitDoc Foundation and Tobacco Free Florida are raising awareness during “Through with Chew Week”
February 10, 2017

Okeechobee, Fla. – QuitDoc Foundation and the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program are raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco – like chew and dip – during Through With Chew Week. This national public awareness campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people, and Tobacco Free Florida aims to help combat this deadly addiction. Through With Chew Week takes place Feb. 19-25, with the Great American Spit Out – a day when smokeless tobacco users join together to quit – on Feb. 23.

Although the youth cigarette smoking rate in Florida decreased over 50 percent between 2012 and 2016, the number of Florida high school students who reported current use of smokeless tobacco products decreased only 24.5 percent in those same four years. The disproportionately higher rate of smokeless tobacco use in rural areas is also alarming – current youth smokeless tobacco use is more than three times higher in rural communities than in non-rural areas. 4.5 percent of youth ages 11-17 in Okeechobee reported current use of smokeless tobacco products in 2016, according to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 2.2 percent is the state average.

“While we’re proud that youth smoking is at an all-time low, the number of young Floridians using smokeless tobacco is decreasing at a dramatically slower rate,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. "We need to do more to educate about the risks and deter our young people of using these products.”

 

To raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use, Okeechobee High School SWAT (students working against tobacco) Club participated in the Health and Safety Expo and interacted with attendees and educated them on smokeless tobacco.  SWAT Clubs throughout Okeechobee county will be holding events during through with chew week to open more eyes to the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco products.
Read More

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The Issue of Smokeless Tobacco
January 17, 2017

Smokeless tobacco is not burned, contains nicotine and is addictive. Smokeless tobacco is typically called spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, dip, plug, and probably a few other things. Types of smokeless tobacco include:

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The Tobacco Free Partnership Shares Information at the Okeechobee Legislative Delegation Meeting
January 6, 2017

On January 6th, 2017, members of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee had the privilege to speak about tobacco prevention and education in Okeechobee County during our local Legislative Delegation meeting.  Courtney Moyett, a member of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee, spoke about the newly released local data from the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey that shows that cigarette use in Okeechobee county is decreasing while the use of electronic cigarettes is on the rise, as well as the most recent FDA deeming regulations for Electronic Cigarettes. Moyett also gave an overview of our local SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Clubs, a brief breakdown of the cost of using tobacco, and an overview of the events that are being held in Okeechobee County for tobacco prevention this program year.  Also discussed was the allocation of tobacco prevention funding through the Florida Constitution, Article X, Section 27.


Pictured from L-R: Senator Denise Grimsley, TFP Volunteer Wyatt Deihl, Courtney Moyett Community Health Advocate for Okeechobee County, Representative Cary Pigman

Wyatt Deihl, a graduate of the Okeechobee SWAT Club and current partnership member, spoke about how the SWAT youth are making an impact on tobacco prevention by holding community awareness projects like the lake clean up, Kick Butts Day and Through With Chew Week projects.  Deihl also expressed his concerns for the youth of Okeechobee County who are using electronic cigarettes and the rise of popularity of these products over the past few years. Read More

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Traditional Tobacco Use Continues to Decrease Among Okeechobee County Youth, but E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
November 30, 2016

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee is excited to announce the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey Results for Okeechobee County; statewide data for 2016 has also been released. This release of data is something that the Tobacco Free Partnership and SWAT Students of Okeechobee look forward to. This data enables public health professionals, students, teachers, parents, and the public to explore information pertaining to youth tobacco use.

The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) was administered in the spring of 2016. A total of 753 public high schools and middle schools in the 67 Florida counties participated in the FYTS. There were 69,640 students who contributed to the 2016 FYTS; 33,558 at the high school level and 36,082 at the middle school level.

We are proud to report that Okeechobee county experienced a decrease in the percentage of youth who have tried cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco. In fact, the data exhibited a 7% reduction in the number of those who have ever tried cigarettes. The data showed a 8.7% decrease in the number of those who have ever tried cigars, and a 1.3% decline in those who have ever tried smokeless tobacco.
Read More

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Okeechobee County Youth Attend Regional Students Working Against Tobacco Training in Fort Lauderdale
November 12, 2016

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Advisor Courtney Moyett brought two outstanding local SWAT Youth to a regional training opportunity in Fort Lauderdale on November 12.

Yessica Hernandez and Alex Soriano, both members of The Okeechobee High School SWAT Club and leaders of their local SWAT Chapter, attended the training, where they learned a variety of new skills and provided valuable feedback on the work being done around the state to reduce the tobacco industry’s influence on young adults.
Seasoned members of their SWAT Club, Yessica and Alex represented Okeechobee County at the training and brought their own unique perspective to the day’s activities, which included an opening ceremony hosted by the St. Lucie County SWAT Chapter and the statewide Youth Advocacy Board elections for Region 4 SWAT members.

The day included a jam-packed schedule of sessions, including a team skill building game on a variety of tobacco prevention topics, including facilitation, personal management, communication and SWAT planning. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership Supports Back to School Expo
July 30, 2016

Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee is proud to be the silver sponsor of the Back to School Expo, which was held on July 30th at the Okeechobee High School Gymnasium.  This event is open to all school aged students and their families, with approximately 2000 people in attendance. 

Attendees were able to visit each booth and learn about local services provided, get free back to school supplies, see in person demonstrations from the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit and also received back to school clothes if needed.

 

The Partnership handed out pens and pencils to the students, and educated attendee on the goal and objectives of our partnership and ways they could get involved.
Read More

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Expanding Horizons Summer Youth Program Learns About the Risks of Tobacco Use
July 1, 2016

On July 1st, Okeechobee County SWAT Coordinator and Tobacco Prevention Specialist Courtney Moyett, had the privilege of presenting to the students who are participating in the Expanding Horizons Summer Youth Program at Indian River State College.

Mrs. Moyett spoke to the youth about the dangers of tobacco usage, the different types of tobacco, how second and third hand smoke effects your body, and ways that they can get involved to make a difference in Okeechobee County. 

Attendees were also encouraged to join a SWAT Club at their local high school or middle school and help educate their peers about the deceptive market used by Big Tobacco to lure teens into using tobacco products. Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership Supports Okeechobee Grad Night
June 4, 2016

For the last 27 years Okeechobee has not had one death of a senior on graduation night and that is largely because of Grad Night. 

The community of Okeechobee has united once again to offer our best wishes to our high school graduates by hosting the annual all-night Grad Night celebration on June 4th 2016. The celebration is open to all Okeechobee graduating seniors and one pre-approved guest of their choice. 

Grad Night is organized by a local committee and supported by: the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Rotary Club, and many other local businesses. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County was honored to help sponsor this year's event, which creates a drug-and-alcohol free event for local high school graduates. 


Pictured is Courtney Moyett Tobacco Prevention Specialist, and Grad Nite Committee Members

Grad Night begins one hour after the high school graduation ceremony ends.  This year’s event is being held at Chobee Skate and Play.  Graduating seniors attend the event with a pre-approved guest of the choice.  Upon arrival each student is checked in and given a wristband, the students are not permitted outside of the building during the entire event, and they are not permitted to return to the event once they leave. By not allowing the students to leave and return, and not allowing the students to obtain their prizes until the next morning it encourages the youth to stay the entire time of the event. Read More

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Okeechobee High School Recognizes Graduating Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members
May 12, 2016

On May 12, Okeechobee High School SWAT Club honored their graduating seniors with an awards ceremony and highlighted their achievements over the past few year.  This year, the club will have 24 seniors graduating from the club and they will be greatly missed.

Over the past years these students have been instrumental in helping pass the new 100% tobacco free grounds policy that was adopted by the school district in April of 2015, and have received proclamations from both the City and the County of Okeechobee. 

SWAT students also attended regional training events in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and were given awards at those trainings for the work they do in their community and growing their club to over 35 active members. 

These students participated in numerous events over the years to try and change the social norm perception of tobacco among the youth in Okeechobee.  Some of their events were: The Health and Safety Expo, Santa in the Park, Bell ringing for Salvation Army, Lake O Clean up on Kick Butts Day, Okeechobee County Fair, DARE Graduation, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Adam Bryant Minimal Regatta and Legislative Delegation. Read More 

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Smokeless Tobacco Use Remains High in Okeechobee County
QuitDoc Foundation and Tobacco Free Florida are raising awareness during “Through with Chew Week”
February 16, 2016

Okeechobee, Fla. – QuitDoc Foundation and the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida are raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, like chew and dip, during “Through With Chew Week.” This public awareness campaign was created to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people and help combat this deadly addiction. “Through With Chew Week” took place Feb. 14-20.

Although youth cigarette smoking rates in Florida are at an all-time low, 8.8 percent of high school students in Okeechobee County reported current use of smokeless tobacco products in 2014, according to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, which is higher than the state average of 5.4%

To raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco use QuitDoc Foundation, the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and Okeechobee High School SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club President, Jasmine Moyett presented to the City Council to ask them to adopt a Through With Chew Week Proclamation.  Ms. Moyett educated the Mayor and Council with local statistics about youth using smokeless tobacco in Okeechobee County.  She also stated that bringing awareness to smokeless tobacco is imperative because products like chew and dip can contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes, and can lead to a lifetime of addiction.  On Feb. 16, 2016, at 6 p.m. the Okeechobee City Council unanimously approved the proclamation.  Ms. Moyett thanked the Mayor, Council and City Administrator for their ongoing support of the SWAT Club and assured them that her Club would continue to advocate against tobacco use. Read More

Pictured from L-R: Jasmine Moyett Okeechobee High School SWAT Club President, Courtney Moyett Community Health Advocate for QuitDoc Foundation and the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee, and City of Okeechobee Mayor James Kirk.

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Okeechobee SWAT Youth Attend 9th Health and Safety Expo
January 30, 2016

OKEECHOBEE, FL – On Saturday January 30th, Okeechobee County SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) members participated in the Ninth Annual Okeechobee Family Health and Safety Expo, where there were over 1700 guest in attendance and 120 vendors participating.  This event encouraged the residents of Okeechobee County to learn more about healthy lifestyle practices. 

Okeechobee SWAT members had an informational booth that educated guest on the harmful effects of tobacco and steps they can take to stop using tobacco.  SWAT members also encouraged guest to participate in an activity where the guest were asked general knowledge questions about tobacco and earned a prize for participation. 

The Students Working Against Tobacco Program Club is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. The program is available in each county through funding provided by Tobacco Free Florida.

 
From L to R: Ronald McDonald, Okeechobee High School SWAT President Jasmine Moyett, and OHS SWAT Club member Jackie Anton

To learn more about the SWAT club or to join a local SWAT club visit our website at www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett, SWAT Club Coordinator at 863-801-8277, email: cmoyett@quitdoc.com.

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United States Congress Passes Child Nicotine Poisoning Protection Act; The Bill Now Goes to President Obama for His Signature
January 11, 2016

On January 11, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation requiring that liquid nicotine be sold in child-resistant packaging, consistent with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.The Senate previously approved the legislation (the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act), which is designed to protect children from poisoning from highly concentrated vials of liquid nicotine.  The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama's signature.

"In recent years, the marketing of unregulated flavored nicotine products has led to a surge in accidental ingestion by children," said Dr. Barry Hummel, a Pediatrician and Co-Founder of the Quit Doc Foundation. "The new law will hold candy-flavored nicotine, including bubble gum and gummy bear flavored products, to the same standards as other over-the-counter drugs by requiring child-resistant packaging."

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, one teaspoon of liquid nicotine could be lethal to a small child, and smaller amounts can cause severe illness.
"In 2011, there were 271 cases of accidental nicotine ingestion reported to poison control centers," added Dr. Hummel. "That number jumped to 3,783 by 2014, a 14-fold increase. More than half of these cases involved children under the age of 6, the group most vulnerable to severe illness and death." Read More

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QuitDoc Foundation Community Health Advocate Addresses Rotary Club of Okeechobee County
October 13, 2015

On October 13th 2015, Courtney Moyett, Community Health Advocate for the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County and QuitDoc Foundation was the honored guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Okeechobee’s weekly meeting.  Courtney educated the club on the new goal areas for the tobacco prevention program in Okeechobee County.

Rotary Club

QuitDoc Foundation was awarded a grant in 2012 by the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to provide tobacco prevention programs in Okeechobee County.  For the past 3 years, these programs have included youth prevention, such as the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Clubs at each middle school, high school, tobacco free workplaces, smoke-free multi-unit housing, and measures to counteract marketing of candy flavored tobacco products and retail advertising.  QuitDoc Foundation also facilitates the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County, which includes partners and stakeholders in the community. Read More

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Compete in Local Regatta
October 3, 2015

On October 3rd 2015, Yearling Middle School SWAT Club participated in the 5th Annual Adam Bryant Minimal Regatta. 

The regatta is a homemade boat race where all the boats are constructed of the same minimal supplies and then compete in the water. 

SWAT Entry

The Yearling Middle School SWAT club spent several weekends building their boat and painted anti-tobacco messages on the side of the boat. 

The captain of the boat was Dustin Lowe and he navigated his way to a third place victory in the “first mate” race class. Read More

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Teen Smoking Rates at All-Time Low
E-Cigarette Use On the Rise, Cause for Concern
September 23, 2015

TALLAHASSEE – Youth cigarette smoking rates in Florida are at an all-time low according to new data released on Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health. Conventional cigarette use among Florida high school students dropped from 8.6 percent in 2013* to 6.9 percent in 2015 – a 19.7 percent change. The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) also showed declines in other combustible and traditional smokeless products.

“Floridians should be proud of the historic progress made in the state to reduce the number of young cigarette smokers,” said Community Health Promotion Division Director Shannon Hughes. “Since voters approved the constitutional amendment to create Tobacco Free Florida, high school cigarette smoking has gone down an impressive 52.4 percent.”

This new report also marks another important, but more troubling trend. Current e-cigarette use among high school students has increased – from 5.4 percent in 2013 to 15.8 percent in 2015. Hookah use among high school students has also increased, from 8.2 percent in 2013 to 9.7 percent in 2015. Since 2009, when FYTS began tracking current hookah use, the rate has increased 26 percent. Read More

FYTS 2015 Trend Data

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County Provides New Signage to Okeechobee County School District
September 11, 2015

Okeechobee, FL — On Friday September 11, 2015, The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County presented the school district with 27 new district approved tobacco-free signs.  These new signs promote the School District’s revision of the tobacco free policy that became effective July 1, 2015.  

The new policy prohibits students, employees, parents, volunteers, and visitors from using tobacco products of any kind on any School District properties, in district vehicles, and at district or school sponsored events.  Prohibited tobacco products include chewing tobacco, synthetic tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes/cigars.
Read More

 
Okeechobee High School Signs
Pictured: Back Row from Left to Right: Dylan Tedders Principal at Okeechobee High School, Lauren Myers, Vice Principal, Courtney Moyett, Community Health Advocate for QuitDoc FoundationTobacco; Front Row from Left to Right: Sherry Wise Vice Principal, Jasmine Moyett President of SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) Club at OHS.

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Tobacco Free Partnerhip Members Educate Local Youth on the Risks of Tobacco Use
August 20, 2015

This past summer tobacco prevention staff along with Partnership volunteers completed presentations at two Okeechobee County Summer camps to educate youth campers on the dangers of tobacco use, including the different types of tobacco and how each type of tobacco affects your body. 

Pig Lung Demo

Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee member Butch Berlin educated campers on how tobacco smoke can affect your lungs by using a pig lung demonstration.

Each student was able to come up close and examine the lung and were asked to point out areas that looked to be abnormal lung tissue.  The students were very interested in the lung and where given a Tobacco Free Brahman bracelet afterwards to remind them to remain tobacco free. 

For more information on the work of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County, or to become a member, contact Courtney Moyett at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com.

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Warning Labels and Child-Resistant Packaging on Liquid Nicotine Bottles
A Letter from Florida Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong
July 22, 2015

There have been a number of media stories recently concerning the regulation of packaging for liquid nicotine intended for use in electronic cigarettes. The rapid increase of e-cigarette use by teens and the number of calls to poison centers involving e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine is an alarming public health concern. The state of Florida urges immediate guidance from federal regulators and calls for increased vigilance from parents, businesses and e-cigarette users to keep these items away from children.

Liquid Nicotine Poisonings

Child-resistant packaging on bottles and cartridges of liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices are necessary to protect infants and children. If swallowed or absorbed through the skin, liquid nicotine can lead to serious illness or even death. In fact, the number of calls to poison centers involving e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine rose from one per month in September 2010 to 215 per month in February 2014, according to a study published last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than half of the calls to poison centers due to e-cigarettes involved young children under age 5. The number of calls per month involving conventional cigarettes did not show a similar increase during the same time period... Read More

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The Tobacco Free Partnership Sponsors the 2015 Okeechobee High School Grad Night
June 6, 2015

On June 6th, 2015 from 10pm- 5am, 324 Okeechobee county students were entertained at the 26th annual Okeechobee County Grad Night event.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County members along with current SWAT club members were on site all night long to engage with students about the harmful effects of tobacco and ways to quit this nasty habit.  Students and adults were offered information about different types of tobacco that is being used the three ways to quit program.  This event celebrates the beginning of a new path in life for these graduating seniors and what a better way to start that path than becoming free from the tobacco addiction!

Grad Night
Grad Night Committee Member Tabitha Trent (L)
and Okeechobee County Tobacco Prevention Specialist Courtney Moyett (R)

Grad Night is organized by a local committee and supported by The Okeechobee Educational Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Rotary Club, and the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee. For the second consecutive year. the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County was honored to help sponsor the event. Read More

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Why School Tobacco Policy Matters
By Tracy DeCubellis, April 28, 2015

The topic of tobacco use in schools has been important for popular culture and academic research throughout the years.  Rock and Roll songs about smoking in school and movies showing rebellious teens smoking on campus are part of public perception about school tobacco use.  Since Brownsville Station observed back in 1973, “everybody knows that smoking ain’t allowed in school,” why does it still happen?  That is what researchers want to know.

School Bus

A recent look at school tobacco policies in Michigan and how they affect student smoking had some interesting results as reported in the Journal of School Health.

There is a statewide initiative in Michigan that encourages schools to create a 24/7 tobacco policy that covers on and off-campus activities and applies to all students, staff, and visitors.  This is similar to the school policy being encouraged in Florida through the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida.  Using the Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the researchers looked at data reported by students. They also looked at data from 14 schools using the Michigan School Health Profiles report.  The study also looked at individual and school-based variables that they thought would influence student tobacco use.

The results of the study showed that some school policies are indeed correlated with lower student tobacco use.  The findings suggest that schools should create a school-wide anti-tobacco message and culture.  This could include being sure students know the school tobacco policy, as well as giving students the message only a small percentage of adults actually use tobacco... Read More 

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Okeechobee County School Board Finalizes New Tobacco-Free Policy for All School Properties
April 14 , 2015

Okeechobee County School District

The School Board of Okeechobee County adopted a revised tobacco-free policy for all school district properties by a 3-2 vote.

The new policy means that no student, employee, volunteer, contractor, spectator, or other school visitor can use tobacco products of any kind on campus including facilities, school grounds, and vehicles.

Tobacco products included in the new policy includes traditional products (such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco), and newer alternative products (such as synthetic tobacco and electronic cigarettes).

School Superintendent Ken Kenworthy said field trips, temporary duty for employees, and district and school-sponsored events if students are present, would also be included under this new policy. For example, a chaperone for a student field trip could not use tobacco during that event. "If it is our campus, it is tobacco free," said Mr. Kenworthy, adding that the district will do their best to enforce the policy... Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership and SWAT Members Present to the Okeechobee County School Board about Tobacco Free Grounds Policy
February 10 , 2015

On February 10th 2015 Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County Tobacco Prevention Specialist and Savannah Goggans, Okeechobee High School SWAT Club Vice President made a presentation to the School Board asking them to consider a 100% tobacco free grounds policy. 

Mrs. Moyett asked the board to consider a change in the current policy of designated smoking areas, to a 100% tobacco free grounds policy that would include all district properties and all district vehicles.  Moyett stated that Okeechobee County is one of 7 counties in Florida that do not have this policy in place. 

Moyett also spoke about non-tobacco users having a right to breathe free air, the negative health effects that tobacco has on users and non-users, and that the School Board should provide an indoor and outdoor tobacco free environment that is consistent with the role-modeling responsibilities of teachers and staff for our students.
Read More 

OCSB Meeting

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QuitDoc Awarded Tobacco Prevention Grant for Okeechobee County
February 9, 2015

Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation (QuitDoc) has once again been awarded a grant from the State of Florida Department of Health to continue to provide tobacco awareness and prevention programs throughout Okeechobee County.  The programs are designed to reduce the number of teenagers who start smoking each year, to decrease the number of tobacco related deaths, and to provide information on appropriate methods to quit smoking.

The program is funded from a trust fund created with money paid to Florida as part of a settlement with the tobacco industry in 1997.   Florida sued the tobacco industry to recoup the cost of providing medical services to Florida residents that were caused by the use of tobacco.  The funding has been used to create Tobacco Free Florida, a comprehensive statewide tobacco prevention and cessation program.

“The Tobacco Free Florida program has been incredibly successful at reducing tobacco use among youth and adults in Florida,” reports Dr. Barry Hummel, a Pediatrician who co-founded QuitDoc.  “Use of traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and spit tobacco are now at historic lows in the state among all age groups.”
Read More

2014 FYTS Youth Rates

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Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee and Okeechobee SWAT chapter participate in the 2015 Health and Safety Expo
January 31 , 2015

On Saturday January 31st 2015 over 1900 Okeechobee County residents attended the Health and Safety Expo.  Our local SWAT students educated attendees on flavored tobacco, second hand smoke, and the effects of smoking and smokeless tobacco by having the guest participate in a trivia game about these topics.  Many attendees were impressed by the SWAT youth’s knowledge about the topics and wanted to share their stories and life experiences with the youth. 

SWAT Booth

The Tobacco Free Partnership also had a booth at the Expo and offered information to attendees about Tobacco Free Florida’s 3 Ways to Quit Program, local work with policy change on Tobacco Free Grounds, information about how the partnership is making improvements within Okeechobee County, and information on Everglades AHEC tobacco cessation classes.

Many of the attendees commented on how informative our booths were and how impressed they were with the knowledgeable SWAT youth. Okeechobee SWAT and Tobacco Free partnership are already looking forward to participating in the 2016 Expo. Read More
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Waste Management Joins the Tobacco Free Partnership to Celebrate the Great American Smoke Out
November 21, 2014

On Friday November 21st the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee partnered with Waste Management employees to celebrate the Great American Smoke Out, which encourages smokers to quit or to use the day to make a quit plan. 

Great American Smoke Out 2014
Photo caption: Pictured in this photo are Courtney Moyett, Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Okeechobee County
and Waste Management employees Sr. District Manager Tony Bishop, Mark Broadrick,
Jason Johns, James Beville, Allen Leitner and Jaen Torres.

“Waste Management values the health of their employees,” said Community Relations Manager Teresa Chandler. “We were excited to host this event at our Okeechobee office and offer our employees options of a healthier lifestyle without tobacco products.”

Dr. Barry Hummel, co-founder of the Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation which manages the Tobacco Free Florida program in Okeechobee County, suggested that every day can be a Great American Smoke Out. “The key to success is choosing a quit date and creating a support network around your quit attempt,” said Dr. Hummel.  “Let everyone know that you are planning to quit on that date, and make sure the people in your life are ready to help if things get tough.” Read More

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Students Working Against Tobacco Participate in Local Regatta
October 4, 2014

Over 2700 people were in attendance at the 4th Annual Adam Bryant Minimal Regatta, on October 4th 2014, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee and For Okeechobee Inc. 

This event is in memory of Adam Bryant. Adam was a volunteer fireman, talented musician, and charming young man whose life was shortened by a devastating spinal cord injury in November 2002. He survived the initial accident and worked to recover until his passing in June 2004. Despite his suffering, he maintained his unique sense of humor, bringing frequent smiles to those close to him. This event is meant to be fun and allow creativity which truly exemplifies Adam’s spirit!

Starting Line

This year the Okeechobee High School SWAT Club built their own boat out of the “minimal” supplies provided and raced it in the race… and it did not sink!  Our SWAT boat Captain was Wyatt Deihl from Okeechobee High School.  The SWAT Club members also had a booth at the event to educate the community on what their mission is, and ways that the community can help support a tobacco free future! Read More

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Okeechobee Tobacco Prevention Specialist speaks at Indian River State College Expanding Horizons Summer Camp
July 23, 2014

Courtney Moyett, the Tobacco Prveention Specialist in Okeechobee County, had the opportunity to speak to a youthy group attending the Expanding Horizons Summer Camp on July 23, 2014.

This summer camp is for local Okeechobee teens ages 14-16, and is sponsored by the Okeechobee County School Board and Children’s Services Council. The camp is hosted on the Indian River State College campus.

Expanding Horizons Summr Camp
Courtney Moyett (center) with Expanding Horizons Summer Camp Attendees

Fourteen students and two instructors from the local Okeechobee County Schools attended the presentation.  The students were educated on the negative effects of tobacco, how tobacco can harm their bodies, and what they can do locally to help bring awareness to their peers... Read More

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Okeechobee Community Collaborative Council is Educated on the Issue of Electronic Cigarettes
July 22, 2014

Dr. Barry Hummel, the Communications Director for the Tobacco Prevention Network of Florida, gave the presentation at the monthly Okeechobee Community Collaborative Council on July 22, 2014. Dr. Hummel presented on the emerging issues of electronic drug delivery devices such as e-cigarettes, and their potential use as a delivery system for marijuana.

The presentation covered the early history of electronic cigarettes, from their invention in China in 2003, to their export across Europe and into North America by 2007. Dr. Hummel noted that several countries, including neighboring Canada and Mexico have banned their import; meanwhile, in the United States the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dragged their feet on regulation at all.

Dr. Hummel then focused his attention on the marketing of electronic cigarettes in the absence of any regulation by the FDA. Early on, the strategy was to market the products as a safer way to smoke, with advertising that implied that you could "smoke virtually anywhere". However, after Lorillard purchased Blu E-Cigarettes, the marketing strategy began to reflect the advertising campaigns of the tobacco industry during the 1950's-1970's. Smaller companies, which are under less scrutiny, took this a step further by creating flavored products that are much more appealing to youth... Read More

Flovored Examples

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Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation is Encouraging Local Residential Buildings to Go Smoke-Free
Smoke-free Policies Can Protect Residents From Secondhand Smoke and Smoking-Related Fires
June 9, 2014

Okeechobee – Smoke-free multiunit housing, a growing trend throughout the country, is making its way to Florida. Across the state, there are more than 500 smoke-free multiunit housing properties and 73,000 smoke-free units.

Several Okeechobee residential properties have already implemented smoking-free policies.  Local residents state they are pleased to hear more properties are going smoke free.  Smoke free properties tend to be cleaner, raise property value, and are safer for all parties involved.  The local Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee provides “Smoke Free Property” signage for anyone wanting their multi-unit housing to be recognized for being smoke free.

“There’s a fear of alienating resident smokers, but most communities that have taken the leap consider smoke-free housing an edge over the competition and have determined that there is a market for this product’ according to Chip Tatum, the former Government Affairs Director for the Florida Apartment Association.

For property managers and landlords, smoke-free policies can have economic benefits. More than 80% of Floridians are non-smokers.  Many people who do smoke do not permit smoking in their homes.  Given these numbers, many properties have very successfully marketed their smoke-free policy as an amenity, not a restriction.   Smokefree policies can save money by eliminating the need to repair or replace carpeting, floors, fixtures, countertops or appliances damaged by burns or nicotine stains.  At the end of a lease, smoke-free units require less turnover time due to fewer preparation and repainting needs... Read More

CDC Infographic

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Says "Thank You CVS"
May 22, 2014

In observance of World No Tobacco Day the Okeechobee SWAT Chapter performed a Thank You project for our local CVS Store. 

The Okeechobee SWAT Chapter created 14 posters and obtained a total of over 700 signatures, to Thank CVS for stopping the sale of tobacco products in October of 2014. 

The SWAT students presented the posters to the local Store Manager, and stated that they wanted to recognize the store for taking the first step to stop the sale of tobacco products.  The SWAT youth recognized that although this might decrease their overall monetary profits from a business stand point, that it will be a step in the right direction when it comes to their customer’s health... Read More

Thank You CVS

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Okeechobee High School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Participates in Local D.A.R.E. Graduation
May 22, 2014

On May 22, 2014 four SWAT youth from Okeechobee High School, and the Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Okeechobee County, participated in the Okeechobee County DARE Graduation. 

The DARE Graduation was coordinated by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office school resource officers, and the attendees of this event included all of the 5th graders in Okeechobee County that completed the DARE training. 

Because the local Tobacco Prevention Specialist has a strong relationship with the Sheriff’s Department, they decided to allow our SWAT club to have a booth at the graduation.   The SWAT youth educated the attendees on what the SWAT club stands for, some events that the SWAT club participates in, and how to join the club next year when they are promoted to the middle school... Read More

SWAT Club at DARE Event

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Florida Teens Win Top Awards Among
Youth Advocates Working Against Tobacco

Two Florida High School Students Were Honored in the Nation’s Capital
May 22 , 2014

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Magi Linscott, a Santa Rosa County high school student and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) youth advocate, was named the National Youth Advocate of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. This is the highest award among the country’s top youth advocates working against tobacco.

Chandler Ash from Gilchrist County was named the Southern Region Youth Advocate of the Year. Both Florida teens were honored in Washington, D.C., on May 15 along with three other U.S. regional winners and a group winner. More than 400 public health, political, civic and business leaders attended the 18th annual gala to recognize these young leaders.

The Youth Advocates of the Year Awards honor outstanding young people who are among today's most effective leaders in tobacco control. These youth have fought hard to protect their generation from the dangers of tobacco by promoting tobacco prevention legislation, exposing tobacco marketing to kids, and keeping their peers from using tobacco... Read More

Florida Youth Advocates of the Year

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The Tobacco Free Partnership Sponsors the 2014 Okeechobee High School Grad Night
May 6, 2014

For the last 25 years Okeechobee has not had one death of a senior on graduation night and that is largely because of Grad Night. 

The community of Okeechobee has united once again to offer our best wishes to our high school graduates by hosting the annual all-night Grad Night celebration! The celebration is open to all graduating seniors and one pre-approved guest of their choice. 

Grad Night is organized by a local committee and supported by: the Okeechobee County Board of Education, The Okeechobee Educational Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Rotary Club, and the Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County was honored to help sponsor this year's event, which creates a drug-and-alcohol free event for local high school graduates... Read More

@014 Grad Night Sponsorship

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Students Working Against Tobacco Celebrate Through With Chew Week to Draw Attention to Smokeless Tobacco Use
February 20 , 2014

Quit Doc Research and Educational Foundation and Tobacco Free Florida encouraged local residents to learn the facts about the harmful effects of using smokeless tobacco and to make a plan to stop using these products. To help raise awareness, Quit Doc Research and Educational Foundation observed Through With Chew Week from February 16-22.

Osceola MS SWAT

Osceola Middle School SWAT students also observed Through With Chew Week by handing out cards to students that has the 3 Ways to Quit Information along with a picture of the damage that smokeless tobacco can have on your smile.

TWCW Palm Cards

Compared to the decrease in youth cigarette use, there has not been a significant change in the use of smokeless tobacco products among youth in the state. In 2013, 5 percent of Florida high school students reported current use of smokeless tobacco products compared to 5.1 percent a decade ago (Florida Youth Tobacco Survey).

However, rates of youth smokeless tobacco use are significantly higher in Okeechobee County.  During the 2012 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, in which county-specific data was collected, the rate of smokeless tobacco use among 8.5% of Okeechobee County high school Students reported current use of smokeless tobacco products.  More alarming was that 6.6% of Okeechobee middle school students reported current use of smokeless tobacco, nearly three times higher than the state average of 2.3%...
Read More

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Tobacco Free Partnership educates Okeechobee Kiwanis Club on Electronic Cigarettes
January 23 , 2013

On January 23, 2014, Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation co-founder, Dr. Barry Hummel, educated the Okeechobee Kiwanis Club on issues surrounding electronic cigarettes.

The presentation discussed the introduction of electronic cigarettes to the United States in late 2007, and the early lawsuit brought by the e-cigarette industry to have the products classified as tobacco products instead of drug delivery devices for purposes of FDA regulation (Sottera v FDA).The FDA did not appeal the decision, and announced their intent to regulate electronic cigarettes as tobacco products in April, 2011. However, since that time, the FDA has not issued any regulatory guidelines... Read More

Kiwanis Presentation
From L to R: Kiwanis Club President J.D. Mixon, Dr. Barry Hummel,
Okeechobee County Tobacco Prevention Specialist Courtney Moyett

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Courtney Moyett Joins the Quit Doc Team as the Tobacco Prevention Specialist in Okeechobee County
December 18 , 2013

The Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation recently named Courtney Moyett as the Tobacco Prevention Specialist of Okeechobee County, filling the void left by the departure of Candace Pope. Courtney will also be responsible for facilitating the Tobacco Free Partnership of Okeechobee County, a coalition of community leaders working together on tobacco issues that affect the residents of Okeechobee County, particularly its most vulnerable residents: youth and senior citizens.

Courtney will have big shoes to fill! Her predecessor, Candace Pope, has built an amazingly strong coalition in Okeechobee County during her 18 months with Quit Doc.

Courtney Moyett

Candace recently resigned for personal reasons, but she intends to remain active on tobacco prevention issues in Okeechobee County as a member of the Tobacco Free Partnership. Before stepping down from her position, Candace actively recruited Courtney to fill the position to make sure that there was a smooth transition.

"I am very excited to become Quit Doc’s newest team member for Okeechobee County," said Courtney. "During the last year, I have worked as a community partner with Candace Pope, which will make for an exciting and smooth transition. I am well rooted in Okeechobee County, spending the majority of my time volunteering for many non-profits,  which will make it easy for me to hit the ground running.  I look forward to continuing the education, prevention, and treatment of tobacco in my community."
Read More

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Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco Share Their Experiences with the Local Legislative Delegation
October 4, 2013

On October 4, 2012, representatives from the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter in Okeechobee County participated in the 2013 Okeechobee County State Legislative Delegation Meeting.

This annual meeting gives local constituents a chance to share their experiences with their representatives in the Florida Legislature. The Okeechobee Legislative Delegation consists of Senator Denise Grimsley, and Representative Cary Pigman.

The Okeechobee SWAT chapter was represented by four members: Nathan Ochoa, Carly Enfinger, Anna Warren and Fabiola Guzman. This was the first opportunity for each of these students to speak in front of the Delegation. During their speech, the students highlighted just a few of the SWAT and Partnership activities... Read More

Okeechobee Delegation
From L to R: Senator Denise Grimsley, Nathan Ochoa, Carly Enfinger,
Reprsentative Cary Pigman, Anna Warren and Fabiola Guzman

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Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco Chapter is Expanding for the 2013-2014 School Year
September 21, 2013

The Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter has already added two new Advisors for the new school year. 

Joining Trisha Jennings (Yearling Middle School), will be Susan Kuipers (Okeechobee High School) and Nicole Maciejewski (Osceola Middle School).  Susan and Nicole will be coordinating the SWAT Clubs at their respective schools, providing tobacco prevention information and fostering youth leadership skills among SWAT Club members.

Swat Advisors
Nicole Maciejewski (Left) and Susan Kuipers join the SWAT Team this fall.

The two women are passionate about youth tobacco prevention. Nicole was once a SWAT member herself, and Susan who lost a family member to lung cancer because of tobacco. They are  both ready to jump in and educate Okeechobee County youth on the dangers of tobacco use... Read More

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Frequently-Asked Questions About E-Cigarettes
By Tracy DeCubellis, M.S., Gilchrist County Tobacco Prevention Specialist
September 20, 2013

Recently, many people have come to me with questions about an emerging product on the market called e-cigarettes.  There has been a lot of confusion about e-cigarettes, and most people have limited information gathered from advertisements or word of mouth from friends. I have put together the most frequently asked questions about e-cigarettes, along with the answers, to inform communities with currently updated information. 

What is an e-cigarette?
An e-cigarette is a battery-powered nicotine delivery device that contains a cartridge filled with what the manufacturers often call “liquid”.  This “liquid” often includes candy flavoring, nicotine, and chemicals to create a “vapor”.  Most e-cigarette companies offer cartridges of differing nicotine levels, although no testing has been conducted to verify those claims. 

E-Cigarette Components

Are e-cigarettes considered tobacco?
The FDA has jurisdiction over tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, and has stated the intent to regulate e-cigarettes as a tobacco product... Read More

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City of Okeechobee passes Resolution to Restrict the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products
May 7, 2013

On May 7, 2013, members of the Okeechobee City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution urging retailers to halt the sale and marketing of flavored tobacco products that are marketed to youth.

The resolution is designed to give retailers some guidance regarding flavored tobacco products that are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"While the FDA banned the sale of all flavored cigarettes except menthol in 2009," said Dr. Barry Hummel, co-founder of the Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation, "the FDA has not taken any specific steps regarding the sale of flavored cigars, spit tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. The FDA does have the authority to regulate these products, and is currently collecting information to determine the specific rules. This makes local action such as this important until the FDA issues its final guidelines." Read More

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SWAT Students from North Florida and Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation Produce a Short Film on the Issue of Flavored Tobacco Products that Target Youth
April 24, 2013

Students from six counties in North Central Florida joined forces to write and produce "Who is the Target", a short film that focuses on the use of flavored products as a youth marketing strategy by tobacco companies.

The Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation helped produce the film, setting up a temporary studio at their office in Ocala, Florida. The staff converted a spare office by suspending a simple blue screen from the ceiling. "It is the same technique used by your local weatherman," said Dr. Barry Hummel, who directed the film. "It allows us to put graphic information behind the students during the editing process to reinforce each point they are trying to make... Read More

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Students from Okeechobee High School Observe Kick Butts Day
March 20, 2013

Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out and speak up against Big Tobacco.  Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) members from across the country organize events in their schools and cities to raise awareness to the dangers of tobacco use and encourage youth to stay tobacco free.

Okeechobee High School SWAT youth set up a booth and displayed signs and posters in their school cafeteria throughout the entire week of March 18-22. Over 150 students and staff signed pledges to remain tobacco free and more than a few former smokers visited the SWAT booth sharing their stories and encouraging SWAT members to keep fighting against tobacco.  Several tobacco users who expressed interest in quitting were referred to cessation services through Florida's "3 Ways to Quit" Program... Read More

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Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation Awarded Tobacco Prevention Grant for Okeechobee County

The Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation has been awarded a grant from the State of Florida Department of Health to provide tobacco awareness and prevention programs throughout Okeechobee County.  The programs are designed to reduce the number of teenagers who start smoking each year, to decrease the number of tobacco related deaths, and to provide information on appropriate methods to quit smoking... Read More