The Wheat Ridge High School SWAT Team (Students Working Against Tobacco) have done their homework when it comes to the dangers of tobacco and they're doing a phenomenal job sharing what they have learned with younger students.

On May 9 SWAT members arrived at Fairmount Elementary School in Golden to conduct workshops with fifth graders about spit tobacco, tobacco's presence in the media, secondhand smoke, and even how to talk to family members who smoke.

The fifth graders listened to their teenage role models as they pointed out facts about youth tobacco use, such as: how pets are just as susceptible to cancer from secondhand smoke as are people; and many of their favorite food brands such as "Chips Ahoy" and "Taco Bell" are owned by Phillip Morris, famously known for their Marlboro brand cigarettes.

The students also visited the "Breathe Better Bus," together and were able to see first hand some of the damage tobacco use can lead to. The bus is a 40-foot long hand-painted learning center with six interactive stations and includes one that simulates the effect of tobacco on skin after years of smoking. The students were particularly impressed by the simulated facial wrinkles and other skin problems that tobacco use can lead to.

In addition to the interactive workshops, the students heard from a delightful volunteer, Fred Zastrow, who also is a survivor of throat cancer. Fred talked with the 5 th graders about the life-changing experiences he went through as a result of smoking throughout his younger years.

After a morning of learning, seeing and experiencing tobacco's harm, the 5 th graders were motivated to take action. Each of them committed to talk to their parents about what they learned, including asking them to take a smoke-free home and auto pledge.

The 5 th graders learned that commitment to the smoke-free home and auto pledge has the potential of improving quality of life for their family and themselves. They also learned that taking a few steps outside and waiting until being out of the car to smoke can make a whole world of difference for smokers' health and for all those who may be in the path of a burning cigarette.

Sixty-four Fairmount elementary students filled with knowledge about tobacco and secondhand smoke were ready to sign their parents up. By the end of the week the parents of over 50 students had signed the smoke-free pledges and the students were well on their way to their free pizza party, which will be donated courtesy of the Jefferson County R-1 Safe and Drug Free Schools Program.

What is even more amazing is that the fifth graders are so motivated and enthusiastic they are teaching their 1 st grade buddies their lessons learned, and those first graders are going to make posters of what they learned. Additionally, Fairmount students are planning to start a SWAT team of their own and continue the advocacy work of their high school mentors.

Looking into next year's school year, Wheat Ridge High School SWAT and Fairmount Elementary School SWAT may just have the bond and influence that is inspiring to us all. Talk about a positive social norm change, these students and their families deserve a big congratulations from the community for their work and dedication to healthy life choices.