News and Events

Dixie County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Advocates Against Vaping on “Not-a-Lab Rat Day”
October 16, 2024

On October 14, 2024, the Dixie County High-Middle School SWAT Club participated in the 4th Annual Cross City Police Department Scarecrow Square Scholarship Fundraiser. The Scarecrow Square had fifteen different youth groups and community organizations participating in creating scarecrows. The DCHMS SWAT youth created a “Not a Lab Rat Day” Scarecrow, as a Big Vape mad scientist, mixing untested chemicals to create the “poison” in vape products that are designed to attract youth. The long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still unknown, which leads to the current users to become the “lab rats” for the vape products.

Most e-cigarettes (vape products) contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. The developing brain is more vulnerable to nicotine’s effects, including reduced impulse control, deficits in attention and cognition, and mood disorders. Nicotine can harm the parts of a youth’s brain that help them pay attention, learn, feel good, and control themselves.

  “Not a Lab Rat Day” is a Statewide Observance by SWAT Clubs in all 67 counties in Florida.  NALR is empowering youth to speak out about the influence of advertising, peer pressure and pop culture has on today’s youth. Dixie County SWAT youth has participated in NALR every year.  The Key Message for the 2024 NALR Day is aimed at de-glamorizing vaping.  Youth are exposed to e-cigarette messages through advertising on the internet and social media. The Dixie County High Middle School SWAT club will continue to share data and information on the dangers of vaping and the possible negative health consequences.    

For more information on the SWAT Chapter in Dixie County, contact Melanie Anderson at MAnderson@QuitDoc.com.