Pasco County Teen Help Lead the Statewide Movement Against Tobacco 

Students Working Against Tobacco Elect MyKenzie Robertson to Its Leadership Board

Land O Lakes, Fla. — Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), the statewide youth-led movement, announced the names of its new Youth Advocacy Board members. MyKenzie Robertson of Sun Lake High School was named Vice Chair. The Vice Chair is responsible for communicating information from the statewide program to the members of SWAT across the state of Florida and working with the Chair to ensure that the Youth Advocacy Board is meeting set goals and objectives.

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 strength local policies, especially those that protect the public from secondhand smoke.

"This year as a YAB member I'm looking forward to empowering youth around the state to be leaders and advocates," said MyKenzie Robertson. “I also look forward to partnering with different organizations across the sunshine state to deglamorize tobacco. I have full confidence that this year is going to be the best yet on the path towards a tobacco free future!”

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.”

Members of the SWAT Youth Advocacy Board will serve a term through June 30, 2016.

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. Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since 2007, more than 126,140 Floridians have successfully quit, using one of these free services. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.

The department 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.