Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Florida’s statewide youth-led movement to combat the tobacco industry, announced the names of its new Youth Advocacy Board (YAB) members. Drew Latta of Miami Dade County, was named as a Region 4 YAB representative. As a member, Drew will work closely with fellow board members toward reaching the goals, objectives and mission of the SWAT organization.

The Youth Advocacy Board works in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to help plan SWAT organization’s direction and goals, and provide input on the state’s youth prevention efforts. Students work with county grantees to support initiatives that educate their peers about tobacco use, help protect youth from tobacco, and strengthen local policies, especially those that protect the public from secondhand smoke exposure.

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. The group is a movement of inspired youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Its efforts aim to shape tobacco free norms, and make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible.

Other teens elected into the Youth Advocacy Board are, from Region 1: Lily Anderson, Washington County; Kendra O'Mallery, Okaloosa County; Catalina Rios, Santa Rosa County; Ja'Toria Stephens, Bay County. Region 2: Amaya Figueroa, Baker County; Destiny Cole, Flagler County; Emma Ronchetti, Levy County; Laycee Hallman, Levy County. Region 3: Allyssa Williams, Osceola County; Nicole Jimenez,  Seminole County;  Sachit Gali, Sarasota County;  Emma Buscemi, Hernando County. Region 4: Sebastian Suarez, St. Lucie County; Amanda Bouqeta, St. Lucie County; Maddie Chabab, St. Lucie County.

"I am glad to be working with such a dedicated and open minded group of people and I am excited for the coming year” said Drew Latta.

Members of the SWAT Youth Advocacy Board will serve a term through June 30, 2018.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, 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.

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. Since the program began in 2007, more than 159,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida's free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.