SWAT Mission

To empower and unite youth to To empower and unite youth to resist and expose big tobacco’s lies resist and expose big tobacco’s lies

while changing current attitudes while changing current attitudes about tobacco.about tobacco.

Youth Empowerment and Health Promotion

Empowerment is defined as a “social action process that promotes

participation of people, organizations and communities in gaining control over their lives in their community

and larger society.”•Improved self-concept.•Identification with members of a community.•Participating in, organizing for, and carrying out environmental change.•Critical analysis of the world.

Organizational Empowerment

In an “empowering” organization, individuals assume genuine decision-making roles and hence

become empowered through their work.

Having the equity of resources coupled with problem solving skills allows SWAT youth to identify tobacco problems within their own

community as well as identify their own solutions.

Youth Empowerment through SWAT

•Increase public Increase public awareness and awareness and support for SWAT support for SWAT and it’s mission.and it’s mission.

•Improve local and Improve local and state policies that state policies that affect the lives of affect the lives of young young Oklahomans.Oklahomans.

SWAT is a Youth-Led Movement

SWAT is a Youth-Led Movement

Adult Partners Serve as Mentors

Training Opportunities

•SWAT Regional Coordinator•Communities of Excellence Coordinator•Provide community training opportunities for youth and other tobacco prevention programs.

Students Working Against Tobacco

•VideoVideo•Questions?Questions?