CLEWISTON/LABELLE — The third annual Not A Lab Rat Day took place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) educated their peers about the potential dangers of disposable e-cigarettes. SWAT, Florida’s youth-led movement to combat the tobacco and e-cigarettes industries, is encouraging their peers to protect themselves and future generations from nicotine addiction by fighting back against the industries.

Since its inception, Not A Lab Rat Day has empowered youth statewide to stand up and declare that they refuse to be Big Tobacco’s “lab rats” as we discover the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.

“E-cigarette use is a major public health concern. We don’t know the long-term effects of these products and our youth are not the e-cigarette industry’s lab rats,” said, David Nicholson, SWAT coordinator.

In Hendry County, the goal for Not a Lab Rat Day is to spread awareness to middle and high school youth. Both LaBelle and Clewiston middle and high schools participated in this day by promoting this campaign and educating students on the dangers of e-cigarettes. Students completed selfie statement cards declaring they will not be lab rats.

About Not A Lab Rat Day
Not A Lab Rat Day is observed annually on the third Wednesday of October to bring awareness to e-cigarette use among youth, encourage youth to stand up against Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry, and to push for change within their communities.

About Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)
SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco and the e-cigarette industry. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future.

To learn more about Students Working Against Tobacco, visit www.swatflorida.com.