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