NOT A REPLACEMENT
ACROSS FLORIDA, THOUSANDS
OF YOUTH HAVE DECLARED TO
THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY THAT THEY ARE
NOT A REPLACEMENT.

SWAT members and other youth have reminded tobacco companies that they are unique individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on their community. In 2014, SWAT Youth launched “Not a Replacement” to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking published in 1964. Multiple strategies activated included photo submissions with “Not a Replacement” selfie statements, collecting youth selfie statements, and community outreach integrated into existing policy advocacy and recruitment activities.

Download All

The selfie statements shared through digital and social media served as a reminder that youth will not allow the tobacco industry to target them as replacements for the 1,3001 lives lost each day in the United States caused by their products.
“Not a Replacement” was also integrated into other existing activities for national Tobacco Observances like Through with Chew Week (TWCW). It culminated with the Kick Butts Day observance and a mass mailing of all the selfie statements sent to Reynolds Tobacco Company (original authors of replacement quote)2. “Not a Replacement” was a big success on many levels. In 2015, Florida’s “Not a Replacement” campaign was activated nationally for Kick Butts Day by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014.

2R.J. Reynolds report, “Younger Adult Smokers: Strategies and Opportunities.” February 29, 1984. Bates No. 501928462-8550.