Health department presents 'Sweet Deception'
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

The Santa Rosa County Health Department (SRCHD) is proud to announce that Jerry "Robbie" Leggett, Tobacco Prevention Specialists (TPS) for SRCHD and Ron Davis, Regional Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for the Florida Panhandle, have been chosen to present their "Sweet Deception" campaign in the National Conference on Spit/Smokeless Tobacco, March 3-6 in Oklahoma City.

SRCHD and the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) initiative are proud to announce the "kick-off" of the 2008 Sweet Deception retreat for youth on Feb. 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Pensacola Junior College's Student Center in Milton.

There, youth from Santa Rosa County will participate in interactive sessions to learn about the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry, particularly candy-flavored tobacco products in flavors such as grape, watermelon, cotton candy, bubble gum, and chocolate chip cookie dough, which are readily available and marketed to youth world-wide.

The Sweet Deception campaign began as the brainchild of Leggett and Davis in 2007 due to the marked increase in candyflavored tobacco products that are marketed to young people all over the U.S. With the same tobacco flavors, it has become more apparent that tobacco companies are targeting the nation's youth. Through the Sweet Deception campaign, Leggett and Davis are hoping to increase awareness of the harmful effects of all tobacco products - including smokeless tobacco - in young people all across the panhandle and ultimately hope to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of these sweet-flavored tobacco products in Santa Rosa County.

Leggett is also the local SWAT coordinator. He has worked diligently to re-incorporate SWAT programs in most Santa Rosa County high schools with hopes of bringing in middle schools by the 2008-2009 school year.

SRCHD recently received a $384,000 three-year tobacco grant, which will allow for another TPS position as well as increase the productivity of programs like SWAT with emphasis on creating cessation programs for youth, young adults, and Santa Rosa County businesses.

For additional information on the Sweet Deception campaign or S.W.A.T., interested persons may call Robbie Leggett at (850) 983-5200 x147. or visit www.gen-swat.com.