Beyond the Buzz 2.0: Youth Voices on Substance Use

Youth in grades 6 to 12 across the IH region were 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 has now passed: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, 11:59pm PST.

Submissions are closed. Keep an eye out for the winners announcement in Jan. 2026.

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

Note: Entry deadline has now passed and submissions are closed.

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 14^thSt., 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

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