The completion of a local mural shows that hard work doesn't go up in smoke.
Student activists, members of Students Working Against Tobacco, or SWAT, and members of the Alachua and Levy County health departments unveiled a tobacco prevention mural Saturday.
The mural is located at 6111 W. Newberry Road on the side of Stein Mart.
"The old mural was outdated," said Jessica Elf, the Alachua County Health Department's tobacco prevention specialist. "It was done by SWAT in 2002, and a lot of things have changed since then."
SWAT is the main organization involved in updating the mural, and it receives its funding through Amendment Four of Florida's Tobacco Settlement, Elf said.
Amendment Four sends 15 percent of all tobacco settlement dollars from organizations like Medicare and Medicaid straight to tobacco prevention.
Elf said now that the mural has been updated, it is more community-oriented.
"Our community is united against Big Tobacco organizations," she said.
"Ultimately, we're all fighting for the same thing, and this is a reminder that we're in it together."
The painter, Josh Lemke, along with his guest painter, Peyton Russel, have worked with the county before, Elf said.
Lemke said the mural was created with spray paint in 10, 10-to-13-hour days.
"The heat got to us a couple times," Lemke said.
Josh Harmon, 15, is a tobacco prevention activist from Suwannee County who attended the unveiling.
"I think it looks pretty awesome," Harmon said. "It shows how youth is against Big Tobacco."
Lemke describes the mural as a battle scene with the left, non-detailed side representing Big Tobacco corporations.
The right, very detailed side shows a group of children going to battle against them.
The children are wielding an odd collection of battle weapons, such as frying pans and hockey sticks.
"We were thinking, 'What would we grab out of our houses if we were going to battle?'" Lemke said.
Lemke has been involved in tobacco prevention since 1998.
"Tobacco is the only product that if used correctly, will kill you," he said.
