Latino S.W.A.T. (Students Working Against Tobacco)

Nearly 20,000 Indiana youth and more than a million American youth become smokers each year. The tobacco companies spend $16 million a day to encourage tobacco use among youth; they need to replace the 1200 Americans who die every day from using their products.

For this reason, SWAT youth are determined to counter-advertise and warn others about the manipulation of the tobacco companies. During Summer SWAT, middle and high school students are trained to become anti-tobacco advocates through various activities, games, and presentations. The summer program includes training on the adverse health effects of tobacco use, and secondhand smoke, how to utilize the media, writing letters to legislators, and much more. These students then begin attending regular SWAT meetings.

SWAT is an opportunity for students to brainstorm and plan out events to implement within their schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Then in the weeks prior to the planned event, they meet after school and on weekends to prepare. On the scheduled date, they execute their event. In the past, events have ranged from small informational handouts to large festivals, marches, or rallies. SWAT students are also given the opportunity to create, plan, and implement individual projects, such as making a presentation to elementary students or filming a documentary.

SWAT funding is awarded from ITPC (Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation). For more information or if you would like to be involved with SWAT, contact Alejandra Corona, Youth Tobacco Free Coordinator. Email her at acorona@uha-bjc.org or call (260) 456-5000 ext. 309.