News and Events
Lake City Middle School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members Participate in Great American Smoke Out!
November 17, 2017
Every year on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout (GASO). They may use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance to quit smoking on that day. The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to stop using tobacco and helps people learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.
SWAT members proudly posing with the posters they made for GASO.
(From L to R: Lucas, Daniel, Nanriah, Ashlyn, Natalie)
The Lake City Middle School Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) club participated in GASO this year by creating posters filled with tobacco related facts to raise awareness among students and staff of the harmful effects of tobacco. SWAT students researched the most convincing and accurate statistics to use on the posters and placed them throughout the hallways to grab the attention of passerby’s in an effort to educate their peers as well as faculty and staff.
While GASO is recognized on one specific day, SWAT members took the opportunity to make it a week long observance and further educate their peers. Members had the opportunity to read a tobacco related message over the morning announcements to encourage those who smoke to take the steps to quit and also to encourage non-smokers to help smokers find the resources and courage to quit. One SWAT member Lucas commented, “I had fun getting involved and trying to help others.” Lucas stated. Not only did GASO give SWAT members they chance to show their creative it also was a great educational tool!
For more information on the SWAT Chapter in Columbia County, contact Joey O'hern at JOhern@QuitDoc.com.
