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Florida Teens Help Lead The Statewide Movement Against Tobacco

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

November 04, 2015

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Nov. 4, 2015

FLORIDA TEENS HELP LEAD THE STATEWIDE MOVEMENT AGAINST TOBACCO

Students Working Against Tobacco Elect a New Board to Spearhead the Fight Against Tobacco

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), the statewide youth-led movement, has named its new Youth Advocacy Board members. The Youth Advocacy Board works in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to help plan the direction and goals of the SWAT organization and of the youth prevention component of the state’s tobacco control campaign.

“These bold students are empowering Florida youth to take a stand against tobacco through education and action,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Their commitment will drive statewide change for a tobacco free future.”

Students work with county grantees on a local level to support initiatives that educate others about tobacco use, help protect youth from tobacco and strengthen local policies, especially those that protect the public from secondhand smoke. SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. They are 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.

The 2015–2016 members of SWAT’s Youth Advisory Board include:

Abby Bayacal, Nassau County

Amara Lewis, Leon County

Andreas Bergmann, Santa Rosa County

Ashley Penafiel, Clay County

Britania Cameron, Palm Beach County

Christopher Brockington, Jackson County

Daniel Thomas, Flagler County

Evianna Gianoplus, Sarasota County

Jordan Marlett, Levy County

Mykenzie Robertson, Pasco County

Nicolas Suarez, St. Lucie County

Paige Stieglitz, Bay County

Victoria Galvan, Seminole County

Members of the SWAT Youth Advocacy Board will serve a term through June 30, 2016.

About Tobacco Free Florida

The department’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since 2007, more than 126,140 Floridians have successfully quit, using one of these free services. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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