In an effort to create a healthier environment for our students, employees, and visitors, The School District of Palm Beach County implemented a comprehensive Tobacco Free Environment Policy (7.19). The new comprehensive 100% tobacco free policy became effective on July 1, 2012. This policy prohibits ALL tobacco use by everyone, everywhere on School District property (facilities, grounds and vehicles), at all times; including school events after regular school hours. View this important policy through the District’s website at: http://www.schoolboardpolicies.com/p/7.19

We are confident that this policy will provide a healthy, safe, learning and work environment for everyone - staff, students and the community. We appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our School District tobacco free.

The 2012-2013 school year was another great year for our Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Clubs. SWAT is a Florida Department of Health youth advocacy organization dedicated to empowering youth to mobilize and fight back against the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics directed towards them. The Palm Beach County Health Department and The School District of Palm Beach County collaborate to ensure the local SWAT program is one of the most successful programs in the state.

• default_titleBoca Raton Community Middle School
• default_titleBoynton Beach Community Middle School
• default_titleCarver Community Middle School
• default_titleEagles Landing Middle School
• default_titleJohn I. Leonard High School
• default_titleJupiter Community High School
• default_titlePalm Beach Lakes Community High School
• default_titleRiviera Beach Preparatory
• default_titleRoosevelt Community Middle School
• default_titleRoyal Palm Beach Community High School
• default_titleTradewinds Middle School
• default_titleWellington Community High School
• default_titleWellington Landings Middle School
• default_titleWoodlands Middle School
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During the SY 2012-2013, three municipalities (Lake Park, Palm Beach Gardens, and Hypoluxo) passed resolutions to urge local retailers to refrain from selling flavored tobacco products not banned by the Food and Drug Administration.

Due to their dedication to local beach cleanup efforts, John I. Leonard SWAT was asked by the Sand Sifters to oversee the beach cleanups at Ocean Ridge Park in Boynton Beach. The first John I. Leonard SWAT beach cleanup was held on February 2 and had nearly 100 volunteers. Roosevelt Community Middle School faithfully cleans up tobacco litter (as well as other litter) at Gaines Park, while Boynton Beach Community High School diligently works to clean up Boynton Beach. Matlock Preparatory Academy student Caitlyn Johnston volunteered at the Palm Beach County Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program to work on the issue of tobacco-free parks and beaches. Her volunteer work resulted in the establishment of tobacco-free parks and playgrounds in Jupiter and HB439. Though the bill only made it through two out of the three committees, Caitlyn’s work certainly has paved the way for an even greater success during the next legislative session.

Roosevelt Community Middle School partnered with neighboring businesses such as Hook’s Restaurant to post tobacco prevention posters in their businesses. Each business was also given a thank you certificate made by the SWAT youth for keeping their businesses tobacco-free areas.

Kick Butts Day is a national day of advocacy sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids that encourages youth to stand up and speak out against the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry that are aimed at our youth. SWAT youth gathered at Roger Dean Stadium for the 5th annual Kick Butts Day event on March 20th, 2013 during the Miami Marlins versus Washington Nationals Spring Training game. Over 2500 individuals were in attendance. Town of Jupiter Mayor Karen Golonka read a proclamation declaring March 20th as Kick Butts Day in Jupiter, and SWAT youth disseminated educational materials on tobacco prevention and the Florida Quitline.

On May 31st, the Armory Art Center hosted an art exhibit highlighting artwork and photography by SWAT youth demonstrating the toll tobacco litter and advertising have on our community. Twenty-five pieces were submitted and displayed for a week. Carver Community Middle School, Eagles Landing Middle School, John I. Leonard High School, Roosevelt Community Middle School, and Woodlands Middle School submitted artwork for the event.

In an effort to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption, Palm Beach County Health Department, Tobacco-Free Partnership of Palm Beach County, and Roger Dean Stadium sponsored a Say No to Tobacco Day event on Saturday, June 8th, 2013 during the St. Lucie Mets vs. Jupiter Hammerheads Florida State League game.

Say No to Tobacco Day was a day of advocacy empowering youth to take a stand against Big Tobacco and the marketing tactics it employs to push its deadly product on American youth, resulting in 1000 youth to become regular smokers every day. In the state of Florida, 88 people die daily as a result of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Tickets were provided to School District SWAT clubs, Tobacco Prevention Course Completers, and Wellness Champions, and over 400 individuals joined in the fun. Our organizations were proud to host this event as a means of gathering our community together to educate them on both the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, and our collaborative efforts to implement tobacco-free policies throughout Palm Beach County.