Students Working Against Tobacco

Our Mission To Empower and Unite Youth to Resist and Expose Big Tobacco’s Lies while Changing Current Attitudes about Tobacco.

Defining Youth Empowerment within the context of SWAT Youth Empowerment is the process by which SWAT youth become active participants in the planning and implementation of activities within their state and local communities. Visible characteristics of youth empowerment include changes in attitudes and beliefs, as well as an increase of knowledge, skills and confidence to encourage change among others.

Our Purpose To raise awareness about tobacco industry marketing practices that target youth as replacement smokers.

Our Purpose To provide youth with the chance to become advocates for health and get involved within their communities.

Our Purpose To provide youth with opportunities for “real-life” learning experiences through mentoring, training, community assessment, and grassroots activism.

Operating Principles Adopted by SWAT Leadership SWAT is not against the tobacco user. SWAT is against the tobacco industry. Empower youth by helping them learn how to make decisions; don’t make all of the decisions for them. Recognize the need for teens to educate other teens on the influences of the tobacco industry.

Operating Principles Adopted by SWAT Leadership Give SWAT resources for both members and adult partners to mobilize against the tobacco industry and bring awareness to communities. Encourage members to be innovative and become activists through empowerment, knowledge, and skill building. Be positive mentors.

Operating Principles Adopted by SWAT Leadership Help SWAT create partnerships among communities, schools, youth organizations, health organizations, and government. Recognize cultural diversity and maintain respect for cultural traditions. Recognize individual and community rights to make their own decisions within the framework of the program. Recognize the need and be prepared to help SWAT move as conditions change.

SWAT Structure: A Team Approach SWAT Headquarters (OTCP) SWAT Teams Adult Partners CX Coordinators (County) SWAT Regional Coordinators Empower youth to expose Big Tobacco CX SWAT Staff

SWAT Regions Washington Haskell Pottawatomie Seminole Caddo TulsaCreek Logan Payne Kingfisher Greer Beckham Oklahoma Canadian Grady Jackson Tillman Comanche Cotton Jefferson Stephens McClain Garvin Murray Carter Bryan Pushmataha Atoka Muskogee Le Flore Sequoyah Wagoner Cherokee Adair Mayes Delaware Ottawa Craig Nowata Osage Kay Grant Woods Harper Beaver Rogers Cleveland Pittsburg Pontotoc Custer McCurtain Choctaw Marshall Love Harmon Kiowa Washita Johnston Coal Latimer Hughes McIntosh Okfuskee Okmulgee Noble Pawnee Garfield Blaine Dewey Roger Mills Lincoln Alfalfa Major Woodward Ellis Texas Cimarron Oklahoma SWAT Region Map NW SWAT Region NE SWAT Region SW SWAT Region SE SWAT Region Cliff Niles: D’Elbie Walker: Maureen Henderson: Dawn Edwards:

CX Programs

Role of the SWAT County Coordinator Recruit Adult Partners to serve as youth mentors. Provide training and technical assistance to SWAT Adult Partners and teams. Build and nurture community partnerships. Promote use of the SWAT Activity Guide. Link new members to existing teams. Provide incentive/promotional gear.

Role of the SWAT County Coordinator Develop and maintain a tracking system of Adult Partner contact information. Convene youth project committees for county-wide efforts. Collaborate with CX Coordinator for reporting purposes. Attend required meetings and trainings.

SWAT Youth Recruitment

SWAT Adult Partner Recruitment

Role of SWAT within the CX Program Provide funding support for local team activities. May leverage funds with Region. Recruit Adult Partners for local SWAT teams. May issue sub-contracts with Adult Partners for SWAT team facilitation services. Provide travel reimbursement to Adult Partners who transport youth to meetings and events.

Role of SWAT Regional Coordinator Provide training and technical assistance to CX and County SWAT Coordinators. Convene Youth Project Committees as needed. Recruit community partners and Adult Partners when necessary. Facilitate SQUADS trainings twice per year.

SWAT Youth Leadership Youth Leaders assist Coordinators in developing project committees for larger events. Serve as program spokespersons.  Ex: SWAT Teen Summit  Bullnanza: Spit Out Big Tobacco

Initial Team Assessment Are there existing SWAT teams?  If so, where are they?  How many members?  What has been their level of activity? Who are the Adult Partners?  Do you have their contact information?  Did they submit an application for a background check?  Have they received orientation training?

Outreach to the Adult Partner  Set up a time to go and meet them. Needs Assessment  Are they utilizing the SWAT Activity Guide?  Are they on mission?  Assist them in developing an action plan. Initial Team Assessment

Tools for Community Activism Several options of monthly activities. Instructions provided for each. Developed based on Best Practices. Little or no cost at all. Guide was designed to unify efforts across the state. Guide was designed to correspond with nationally recognized tobacco prevention holidays.

Tools for Community Activism SWAT Brag Sheet. Submitted to CX Coordinators. Aids in reporting local SWAT activities. Aids in assessing local team and/or Adult Partner training and/or resource needs.

Tools for Community Activism Internal tobacco industry document quotes and other tobacco facts. Tools such as downloadable training materials, resources, and videos. News and Latest Happenings. Updates on SWAT events. Contact Information for SWAT Regional Coordinators along with a map of the regions.

Action Planning Task Person Responsible Deadline

Counter Marketing See Program Guidelines Manual Limit of $10 per item (excluding screening charge) Promotional  Inexpensive giveaways (pens, stickers, stress balls) Incentive  Given to reward leadership behavior (going the extra mile—mouse pad, back pack, calculator)

Counter Marketing Earned media-vs-paid media  Public Service Announcements (PSA) Radio spots Newspaper ads Billboard Theater ads

Community Indicators Examples from the Field Priority Area I: Eliminate SHS Partnered with community coalitions to recognize “Breathe Easy Restaurant of the Month.”

Community Indicators Examples from the Field Priority Area II: Prevent Youth Initiation Promote 24/7 Tobacco Free School Policy. Approximately 80 school districts passed policy with the help of SWAT teams.

Community Indicators Examples from the Field Priority Area III: Promote Tobacco Cessation Services

Community Indicators Examples from the Field Priority Area IV: Reduce Tobacco Industry Influences Operation Storefront Stomping Butts on Hollywood Sponsorships such as Rodeos

Community Indicators Examples from the Field Social Capital Assets: Extent of Activism among Youth

SWAT Sentinel Documents CDC Best Practices State Plan for Tobacco Use Prevention & Control Program Guidelines Manual Program Financial Procedures Manual SWAT Activity Guide SWAT Training Materials

Lessons Learned Convene Youth Project Committees to plan county-wide events. Schedule regular phone and face-to- face visits with Adult Partners. Schedule your drive time.

Lessons Learned Public education alone does not bring change. Public education coupled with activities bring change. Delegate tasks to Youth Leaders and give a deadline. Investment  Time + Energy & Manpower = Outcome  Will an investment in this effort bring desired outcome?

Lessons Learned Schedule leave time for one year in advance if possible. Schedule conferences and trainings you plan on attending. If possible, utilize materials and forms that already exist rather than develop new ones. Utilize action plans for everything possible and share them with others who have delegated tasks.

Web Resources Community Toolbox  American Legacy Foundation  Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  OSDH  Breathe Easy:  OSDH:

Closing Thoughts Jennifer Wilson Statewide SWAT Coordinator CX Program Consultant (405) OK-SWAT