Explore this page
Now seeking youth artists! Who can participate How to enter Prizes Contest forms, FAQs and additional information See our past winners

Beyond the Buzz 2.0: Youth Voices on Substance Use

The 2025 youth Poster Contest is now live! Find more details on this page.

location

Now seeking youth artists!

Interior Health (IH) is proud to announce the launch of the annual youth poster contest, Beyond the Buzz 2.0: Youth Voices on Substance Use.

Youth in grades 6 to 12 across the IH region are invited to submit an original form of artwork that shares their views on the impacts of commercial tobacco, cannabis, vaping and alcohol use for a chance to win a $150 gift card of their choice. It’s important for adults and peers alike to understand the impact these substances have on you, your friends, family, school and community. 

Entry deadline: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, 11:59pm PST.

Who can participate

  • You can participate in the contest if you are a grade 6 to 12 student living in the IH Region of B.C.
  • The contest will be split into two separate grade brackets: grades 6 to 8, and 9 to 12. The contest themes will remain the same for both age groups.

How to enter

  • Create an original poster, illustration or an infographic that match one of the contest themes
  • Submit your poster and a completed entry form

Artwork designs must be no longer than one page, and either 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17 inches in size. All artwork submitted must be original and created by the person making the submission.

 

More details on how to enter
  • Read the contest rules to make sure your entry will be valid. 
    • Please note: The winning posters will be professionally printed and the successful artists will receive a copy. Artists retain the copyright to their work but agree that it may be used by IH in the promotion of national, regional, and local substance-prevention awareness campaigns, and be featured in schools, community settings, and on IH’s social media platforms, website, and in hospitals and health-care centers.
  • Download, print and fill out the entry form. Artists may submit one entry per contest theme. IH will screen submitted posters into either the grade 6 to 8 or grade 9 to 12 bracket.
  • Submit your artwork and entry form in one of two ways:
    • Original artwork can be mailed to:
      • Interior Health – Population Health, Legal Substances, 1440 14th St., Vernon, B.C., V1B 2T1
      • Digital artwork (print quality PDF) can be emailed to LegalSubstances@interiorhealth.ca.
See the eligible contest themes

Your poster, illustration or infographic must match one of the following themes:

  • Alcohol: Choices on Tap: Alcohol, Youth & Consequences
  • Tobacco: Tobacco impact: Commercial Tobacco’s Environmental and Community Impacts*
  • Vape: Unmask the Vapour: Nicotine, Addiction & Hidden Dangers
  • Cannabis: Mind at Risk: Cannabis, Brain Development & Youth Well‑Being

*Commercial tobacco is not reflective of traditional, ceremonial, sacred and medicinal uses of raw tobacco by Indigenous, and other cultures.

Prizes

The successful artists in each theme category will be awarded $150 in the form of a gift card of their choosing.

Find out how the winning posters are selected

A panel of youth judges from IH’s YOUTHWISE Advisory Council  will select a winning poster for each of the four themes, and for both grade brackets (grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12). The posters are judged based on scientific content, impact and persuasiveness, creativity, and presentation. 

For more information or if you’re a student aged 13 to 19 and are interested in joining the YOUTHWISE Advisory Council, please email LegalSubstances@interiorhealth.ca.

Contest forms, FAQs and additional information

Find all information you will need to participate in the contest, with helpful information for schools and adults.

Forms and information for contest participants

FAQ for Youth Participants

Official Rules

Contest Entry Form

Information for schools and adults

FAQ for Adults

Promotional Poster for Schools

See our past winners

Interested in participating and need a little inspiration? Browse previous winners - you never know, you could see yours posted here next!

2024 winners

2023 winners

2022 winners

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

View All Stories

6 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Heating, ventilation & AC upgrades improve care—and the climate

Providing a safe, comfortable and reliable care environment depends on how well our facilities heat, cool and circulate air. 

/stories/heating-ventilation-ac-upgrades-improve-care-and-climate

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
At 97, oldest dialysis patient in B.C. is living life fully

Despite living with kidney disease and having needed hemodialysis for eight years, at 97 Leno Benetton is living a full life as B.C.'s oldest dialysis patient.

/stories/97-oldest-dialysis-patient-bc-living-life-fully

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
How to prevent falls and injuries among older adults

Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Many falls are preventable. Exercises that promote strength and balance are one of the ways we can prevent falling.

/stories/how-prevent-falls-and-injuries-among-older-adults

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Director focuses on culture of Indigenous health care

Guided by respect for Indigenous lived experiences and education—and her own experiences and realities Dr. Roseann Larstone works to create safe spaces for care

/stories/we-are-ih-director-focuses-culture-indigenous-health-care

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Indigenous Food Forum explores food systems, health and wellness

This year’s forum saw more than 80 people gather in Ktunaxa territory to share stories and understand the connection between food, culture, land, and healing.

/stories/indigenous-food-forum-explores-food-systems-health-and-wellness

5 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Want healthier indoor air? Test your home for radon gas

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. But radon exposure, and the risk of cancer, can be prevented. Lower your risk by testing & mitigating.

/stories/want-healthier-indoor-air-test-your-home-radon-gas

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.

Sign up today
mail