Palatka, Fla. - Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Jennifer Ramos-Gagne, and SWAT Intern, Jasmine Parker, celebrated "Through with Chew Week" at CH Price Middle School.

Youth were educated on smokeless tobacco dangers and chemicals found in smokeless tobacco, and encouraged to join SWAT and take a stance against Big Tobacco. Over 50 youth took the pledge to be tobacco free and "skip the dip"; over 30 youth tested their knowledge on smokeless tobacco; and more than 30 6-8^th graders signed up to join SWAT!

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

About Tobacco Free Florida

The department's Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida's tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 212,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida's free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida's Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.