On March 27, 2009 SWAT teens presented Lowry Park Zoo a certificate for going smoke-free.

Congratulations!! to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – Smoke Free  October 1, 2009 and USF Health – Smoke Free November 19, 2009

SWAT Legislative Task Force

Andre Martins and Kayla Opperman, from Alonso High School, along with Jonathan Walcheski, from Newsome High School, presented to the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation on December 14, 2010. The students educated the Delegation members on the importance of SWAT, and on the serious issues of flavored tobacco products.  

While Kayla and Jonathan spoke, Andre carried a basket of flavored tobacco products around to each of the Senators and House Representatives in attendance, so they could experience the powerful aroma of flavored tobacco products that entice and allure youth.

These students, who are members of the SWAT Legislative Task Force, were very well received by the Delegation members, who thanked the students for updating and educating them.

CONGRATULATIONS MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SWAT TEAM!!!!

'SWAT students from Memorial Middle School, Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough County, worked very hard on their banner to submit in the Mendez Foundation's KIDFEST banner contest held on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at the Museum of Science and Industry. The SWAT students (Students Working Against Tobacco) wanted to bring awareness to the serious dangers of tobacco!  Under the direction of teacher, Sherry Reber, the students dipicted their vision and won 1st place in a very competitive banner contest!  Their banner is on display at the new Glazer's Children's Museum throughout the month of October.'

SWAT Key Concepts

SWAT’s message is not about health.
SWAT’s message is about Big Tobacco marketing practices and exposing the manipulation of the tobacco industry.
SWAT does not tell anyone how to live their lives – you have enough people doing that already. The message is not about telling youth - “don’t smoke”. Instead, SWAT works to generate awareness about what Big Tobacco does to get a share of the youth market..
There is one enemy, Big Tobacco.
SWAT does not talk down to or “preach” to anyone, including smokers. Smokers are allowed to join SWAT because they are victims of the tobacco industry’s manipulative advertising.
We are a generation UNITED against Big Tobacco.
TRUTH is the message and SWAT is the messenger.
SWAT is the organization that complements the TRUTH Campaign (the commercials on television with which many people are familiar). Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can SWAT join to support the TRUTH Campaign.
SWAT is a youth advocacy group that promotes leadership and community
involvement. SWAT uses these avenues among teens to create awareness
about tobacco.

Contact SWAT Coordinator: Elizabeth Verdejo at everdejohcada@gmail.com for more information