Florida’s Youth Continue the fight against big Tobacco in Honor of Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action

Key West, Fla. – Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), is observing Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action on April 1, 2021. Formerly known as Kick Butts Day, the annual observance encourages youth to speak out against the tobacco industry.

Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is organized by Campaign for Tobacco- Free Kids and empowers youth to educate their communities as we work together to achieve the first tobacco free generation. The April 1 date was chosen to bring awareness to the tobacco industry’s deceptive tactics used to “fool” youth and lure them to try their deadly products.

In 2020, 21.6% of high schoolers and 8.2% of middle schoolers in Florida used e- cigarettes while only 2.3% of high schoolers and 1.1% of middle schoolers in Florida used cigarettes.1,2 Research has found that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to go on to use other tobacco products, like conventional cigarettes.3,4,5,6

“SWAT is unconditionally committed to educating our community about the dangers and harmful effects of using tobacco products. All tobacco products can have detrimental effects on those who use them and can completely alter their life. SWAT will continue advocating against this toxic industry and will not stop doing so until there is an end to the use of tobacco worldwide,” said Gabby Lee of Key West High School SWAT Club.

SWAT continues to advocate for a tobacco free generation through initiatives like Not A Lab Rat, which empowers young people to stand up and declare that they refuse to be Big Tobacco’s “lab rats.” SWAT hopes to inspire youth to reject the tobacco industry and urge their elected officials to take action to protect youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.

To learn more about SWAT’s efforts and how to become an advocate, visit swatflorida.com.

About Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)

SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future.

To learn more about Students Working Against Tobacco, visit www.swatflorida.com or follow us on Instagram at @swatflorida.

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