Seven high school riders will advocate against the use of chewing tobacco at area rodeos as part of a $182,000 Public Health Institute grant received by the local American Indian Health and Services agency, according to spokeswoman Wendy Motta.

Each student will receive a $700 sponsorship after winning an anti-tobacco essay contest. All seven will wear "Buck Tobacco" shirts and jackets and display a magnetic sign on their vehicles.

Santa Barbara students are Jesse Gonzales of Solvang, Ashely Salter of Santa Ynez, Bailey Gonsalvez of Los Alamos and Daniel Holguin of Santa Maria.