Palatka, Fla. - Amaris Mack, 8th grade, Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) youth has been awarded an honorable position to serve on SWAT's Statewide Youth Advocacy Board (YAB) and help lead SWAT clubs across the state towards advocacy and smoke-free policy change.

Amaris states that "Serving on YAB means taking on an important position to help change the world one step at a time. The Youth Advocacy Board is the next step to achieving a more smokeless world. Me serving on YAB is a great opportunity for myself and my community." Amaris will serve as a Region 2 Representative along with three other youth from Volusia, Hamilton and Levy Counties. She will serve with 15 YAB students from all over the State of Florida.

"Amaris will be going into her 4th year of SWAT and has big plans", states Jennifer Ramos-Gagne, Tobacco Program Manager for the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County. "Amaris wants to inspire Putnam County to do great things and wants to be the voice of change. We are very proud of her."

SWAT is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. For more information visit www.swatflorida.com.

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.

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