Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), the statewide youth-led movement, announced the names of its new Youth Advocacy Board members. Andreas Bergmann from Navarre High School was elected to be one of three regional representatives on the board. He has also been elected as Regional Task Manger, where he will be the liaison of the Statewide YAB and SWAT leaders in Region 1.
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. 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.
“I’m excited to be partnering with such outstanding people that are all working towards the same goal,” said Andreas Bergmann. “We have the same passion – to fight back against Big Tobacco! I am 100% positive that with all of us working together, we will make some real changes this year."
Members of the SWAT Youth Advocacy Board will serve a term through June 30, 2016.
Florida’s Region 1 SWAT youth have created a unique leadership board called the Leadership Committee. These students work with their neighboring counties to engage their SWAT peers on a regional level with large-scale events and projects, such as the regional training in BayCounty taking place later this month. Ryan Williams, from Navarre High School, and Bailey McKinnell, from Pace High School , both Santa Rosa County students, have been elected as Leadership Committee members for the 2015-2016 term.
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. ‘
“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.”
For more information on tobacco prevention efforts in Santa RosaCounty, contact Gina Rosso at 983-5200, ext. 310.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Navarre High student helps statewide movement against tobacco