Students Working Against Tobacco Students Working Against Tobacco

Students Working Against Tobacco The SWAT Movement Begins… SWAT was launched in 2000 as a youth-led activist movement against Big Tobacco “create a united statewide movement for a tobacco-free generation.” Today, there are over 125 active teams in Oklahoma!

Students Working Against Tobacco Big tobacco - what the industry knows. They need replacement smokers in order to make a profit. They know 90% of all smokers begin at or before age 18. They make a deadly product that KILLS when used as intended.

Students Working Against Tobacco Big tobacco - in their own words. “It is important to know as much as possible about teenage smoking patterns and attitudes. Today's teenager is tomorrow's potential regular customer…” ~ Philip Morris market research report “[T]he base of our business is the high school student.” ~ Lorillard Tobacco memo TARGETS

Students Working Against Tobacco “Cherry Skoal is for somebody who likes the taste of candy, if you know what I mean.” ~ U.S. Tobacco Sales Rep “It’s a well known fact that teenagers like sweet products. Honey might be considered.” ~ Brown and Williamson memo

Students Working Against Tobacco Youth Tobacco Use 4,000 youth under 18 try smoking for the first time each day. 1,500 youth who try smoking will become new regular, daily smokers each day. 800 million packs of cigarettes are consumed by youth each year. United States Oklahoma 6.9% of middle school students and 20.3 % of High School students use spit tobacco. 1 in 4 high school students smoke million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by OK youth each year.

Students Working Against Tobacco MISSION To EMPOWER and UNITE youth to RESIST and EXPOSE big tobacco’s lies while changing current attitudes about tobacco.

Students Working Against Tobacco PURPOSE To raise awareness about tobacco industry marketing practices that target youth as replacement users. To provide youth with the opportunity to become advocates for health and get involved in the community. To provide youth with opportunities for “real life” experiences through mentoring, training, community assessment and grassroots activism.

Students Working Against Tobacco SWAT is not against the tobacco user. SWAT is against the tobacco industry. Recognize cultural diversity and maintain respect for cultural traditions. Recognize the need for teens to educate other teens about the influences of the tobacco industry. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Students Working Against Tobacco Youth led. 6 th –12 th grade. Must have an adult partner. Meet at least 1 time a month. Follow the SWAT Allies Activity Guide. EXPOSE BIG TOBACCO! STRUCTURE

Students Working Against Tobacco

Students Working Against Tobacco STATEWIDE INITIATIVES Spit Out Big Tobacco Reduces the amount of event sponsorships by spit tobacco companies. It also provides community-level monitoring of the smokeless tobacco master settlement agreement (STMSA). 24/7 Tobacco Free School Policies Increases the number of Oklahoma school districts that adopt a 100 percent tobacco free policy on all school property. Youth Access to Tobacco Reduces the access to tobacco products such as the removal of vending machines, reduction of illegal sales, and implementation of a tax increase.

Students Working Against Tobacco Stomping Butts on Hollywood Reduces the amount of tobacco use displayed in movies and on television. It also calls attention to the relationship between the Hollywood film & television production companies and the tobacco industry. Breathe Easy Reduces the number of restaurants and public places that allow smoking. STATEWIDE INITIATIVES

Students Working Against Tobacco TOOLS & RESOURCES

Students Working Against Tobacco ACTIVITIES  Reward/Reminder Visits.  Stomping Butts on Hollywood.  Spit Out Big Tobacco.  Operation Storefront.  Chalk Outlines.  Celebrate tobacco free holidays: GASO, Kick Butts Day, World No Tobacco Day,Through With Chew Week, GASpO.  If you can IMAGINE it, it can be done!

Students Working Against Tobacco Kick Butts Day 2006 – Project 1200 – Tahlequah SWAT

Students Working Against Tobacco Operation Storefront

Students Working Against Tobacco Bullnanza 2006

Students Working Against Tobacco SWAT Summit 2007

Students Working Against Tobacco THE FACES OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Students Working Against Tobacco PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS  Recognized as a leading youth empowerment movement.  Youth are involved in national partnerships.  Hosted numerous successful summits and other leadership training events.  Youth become leaders, activists, public speakers, and get involved with community development.

Students Working Against Tobacco QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?