News and Events
Okeechobee County SWAT Youth Participate in Take Down Tobacco Day
June 4, 2024
On April 4, 2024, members of the Osceola Middle School (OMS) Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Club participated in the “Take Down Tobacco Day, National Day of Action,” the national tobacco observance day hosted by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. On "Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action," youth advocates across the country rally together to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry.
This year on the Day of Action, youth advocates and their communities come together to stand up to Big Tobacco, expose the tricks this industry uses to lure kids into addiction, and call for change. Students at OMS spent time making poster to hang in the hallways of the school, educating their peers on the tricks and lies big tobacco is trying to get them to believe. The posters were also used in the parent pick up line to educate the adults on Big Tobacco’s deceptive marketing tactics.
Okeechobee County SWAT Chapter Coordinator Courtney Moyett said “Here’s the truth: Tobacco companies aggressively market deadly and addictive products while raking in billions of dollars in profits. They fight policies that would reduce tobacco use. They constantly develop new products to hook our youth. In a nutshell, they continue to lie, cheat and fool people into a lifetime of addiction, disease and death. Participating in national events, such as take down tobacco day is one way that SWAT youth can use their voices to advocate for change.”
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.
