SWAT—help reduce the tobacco industry’s influence

By Raylen Farries, Gabrielle Rivers and Julissa Osorio

The need for youth to speak up and make their voices heard about issues they care about is as important as ever, which is why Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is leading the way in the fight against the tobacco industry and the addictive products that target youth.

SWAT is a statewide youth organization focused on educating, empowering, and mobilizing Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. As a member of the Osceola SWAT chapter, I believe SWAT is an important cause more youth should get involved in. In Osceola County 1 in 4 youth have tried a dangerous tobacco product and 1 in 11 youth currently use said products. Despite significant progress over the years, tobacco and e-cigarette use is still prevalent, and the tobacco industry’s antics must be stopped. SWAT is working to change the social norms associated with tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

SWAT has been educating and empowering youth and communities since 1998. SWAT has had several successful initiatives throughout the years. ‘Not a Replacement’ was a statewide campaign where thousands of youth reminded tobacco companies that they are unique individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on their community. ‘Not a Lab Rat’ is the current statewide campaign that focuses on the truth behind e-cigarettes and how youth can stop the spread of misinformation. Through such initiatives, SWAT continues to work toward changing the way people think about tobacco, making it less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible.

My reason for joining SWAT was clear. “I saw too many kids at my school start vaping without knowing the dangers of it. I joined SWAT to educate youth about the dangers of vaping and peer pressure, without telling them what to do. I think it is important that every youth knows why vaping is dangerous for them instead of just telling them they should stop.” Joining SWAT helped me by giving me an opportunity to give back to my community and gain volunteer hours.

In our community, the Osceola SWAT chapter helped make a difference by organizing and participating in park cleanups, tabling at schools to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, and reaching out to local decision makers, both in person and virtually, to help establish more tobacco control policies.

There is still work to be done to protect our generation and future generations from the tobacco industry. By working with peers, students can create change that will keep tobacco products out of Osceola and improve the health of our family, friends, and community. SWAT is open to all Florida youth in 6th-12th grade. There is a SWAT chapter in every county in Florida, and some counties also have clubs in schools and community organizations. In Osceola, we have one community SWAT Club.

If you are interested in learning more about SWAT and how youth can get involved, contact Raylen@civcom.com or visit www. SWATFlorida.com. I hope that in writing this, more youth are inspired to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry by joining SWAT.

Raylen Farries is the Community Engagement Specialist for SWAT Osceola County. Youth members Gabrielle Rivers and Julissa Osorio contributed to this submission.