Students Working Against Tobacco

Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) is a grassroots initiative in the United States aimed at educating and uniting students against tobacco industry tactics targeting youth. The first SWAT group was established in Florida schools in 1998, following a $11.3 billion lawsuit settlement (later increased to over $13 billion) against tobacco companies. This settlement funded a statewide program to prevent youth smoking, with SWAT as a key component. From 1998 to 2003, youth smoking in Florida decreased by more than 50% among grades 6-12.

In 2005, Florida received another tobacco settlement, and Amendment 4 in 2006 allocated 15% of the funds ($57 million) for tobacco education and prevention programs. These funds were distributed to counties for discretionary use. However, under Governor Jeb Bush, funding cuts weakened SWAT’s impact, leading to less effective campaign strategies.

According to Tina Rosenberg’s book *Join the Club*, SWAT’s success stemmed from exposing tobacco-industry manipulation of youth, such as through campaigns like Joe Camel. Research by RTI International identified two key beliefs that reduce teen smoking: that cigarette companies lie and target youth to start smoking. However, current campaigns focus on less effective themes, such as addictiveness and health effects, which have proven unsuccessful.

Similar programs exist in other states, including Michigan, New York, and Oklahoma, often with variations in name but similar goals of youth-led tobacco prevention.