HOB Middle School SWAT Students Meet with Deputy Superintendent to Discuss Youth Vaping

Monroe County, Fla. – Members of the Horace O’Bryant (HOB) Middle School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) club recently met with Monroe County Schools’ Deputy Superintendent, Amber Acevedo, to discuss youth vaping and opportunities to expand SWAT clubs throughout the Florida Keys. The meeting was coordinated with support from Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) tobacco prevention staff.

The meeting stemmed from a letter written by SWAT students requesting district support for tobacco prevention efforts and the growth of SWAT clubs in Monroe County schools. During the discussion, students shared research on vaping trends and spoke about what they are seeing among their peers.

Students expressed concern that vaping is becoming more common among middle school-aged youth. After hearing directly from the students, Acevedo agreed that additional prevention efforts targeting middle school students are needed and committed to developing a vaping prevention campaign designed specifically for that age group. She also encouraged students to help create messaging that would be meaningful to their peers.

Students raised concerns about local access to vape products and asked questions about enforcement. Acevedo discussed ways youth can safely report violations and highlighted ongoing partnerships with law enforcement and highlighted ongoing partnerships with law enforcement and the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) to support cessation efforts.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing collaboration between Monroe County Schools and DOH-Monroe to support and expand SWAT clubs throughout the Keys. Acevedo expressed her willingness to help connect interested principals with information and resources needed to establish new chapters.

HOB SWAT Advisor Pedro Lara was recognized for his continued support of the club and for encouraging students to take an active role in addressing issues that affect their school and community.

The meeting provided students with an opportunity to share their concerns directly with district leadership and contribute ideas that may help guide future youth vaping prevention efforts in Monroe County.

For more information, email Gayle.Glover@flhealth.gov.

About Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)

SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate, and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize the tobacco industry. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future.