Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Florida’s statewide youth-led movement to combat the tobacco industry, announced the names of its new Youth Advocacy Board members. Allyssa Williams of Osceola High School was named Region 3 Youth Advocate. 

The Youth Advocacy Board works in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida to help plan the SWAT organization’s direction and goals, and provide input on the state’s youth prevention efforts. Students work with county grantees to support initiatives that educate their peers about tobacco use, help protect youth from tobacco, and strengthen local policies, especially those that protect the public from secondhand smoke exposure. 

SWAT aims to empower, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against Big Tobacco. The group is a movement of inspired youth working together to de-glamorize tobacco use. Its efforts aim to shape tobacco free norms, and make tobacco less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible. 

Other teens elected into the Youth Advocacy Board are, from Region 1: Lily Anderson, Washington County; Jaeden Boatner, Holmes County; Taylor Roberts, Gulf County; Ja'Toria Stephens, Bay County. Region 2: Jamir Brown, Duval County; Neyah Carter, Duval County; Ryan Helmes, Volusia County; Emma Ronchetti, Levy County. Region 3: Sachit Gali, Sarasota County; Robert Kordon, Hernando County; Cheyenne Zuniga, Seminole County. Region 4: Amanda Bouquet, St. Lucie County; Mariah Spelts, Okeechobee County; Elizabeth Sterling, St. Lucie County; Ashley Thompson, Miami-Dade County.  

"I am excited to serve another term on the Youth Advocacy Board,” said Allyssa Williams. “It is an honor to represent my community as a youth advocate in tobacco control.”

Members of the SWAT Youth Advocacy Board will serve a term through June 30, 2019.