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Beyond the Buzz Youth Voices on Tobacco, Cannabis, Vaping & Alcohol

The 2024 youth poster contest is now live! Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit artwork that shares their views on tobacco, cannabis, vaping or alcohol for a chance to win a $150 gift card.

Find out how to enter
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Now seeking youth artists!

Youth in grades 6-12 across the Interior Health region are invited to submit an original form of artwork that shares their views on the impacts of tobacco, cannabis, vaping and alcohol use.

It’s important for adults and your peers alike to understand the impact these substances have on you, your friends, family, school and community. Plus, you can win a gift card of your choice valued at $150!

Entry deadline: Sunday, December 15, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

Formerly known as Take a Breath: Teen Voices on Tobacco, Vaping and Cannabis Poster Contest, this year the contest has a new name: Beyond the Buzz: Youth Voices on Tobacco, Cannabis, Vaping & Alcohol.

We're not only inviting youth to express their views on smoking and vaping, but on drinking as well. And this year, we've expanded the contest to include students in grades 6 and 7.

Who can participate

You can participate in the contest if you are a grade 6–12 student living in the Interior Health Region of B.C.

New this year! the contest will be split into two separate grade brackets: one for students in grades 6-8, and one for grades 9-12. With two grade brackets, there’s a better chance to win a prize!

How to enter

  1. Create an original poster, illustration or an infographic that match one of the contest themes.
  2. 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.

 

Get more details on how to enter
  1. 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 Interior Health in the promotion of national, regional, and local substance-prevention awareness campaigns, and be featured in schools, community settings, and on Interior Health’s social media platforms, website, and in hospitals and health-care centers.
     
  2. Download, print and fill out the entry form (PDF). Artists may submit one entry per contest theme. Interior Health will screen submitted posters into either the grade 6-8 or grade 9-12 bracket.
     
  3. Submit your artwork and entry form in one of two ways:
    1. Original artwork can be mailed to:
      1. 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: The silent damage of alcohol: Health risks and impacts  
  • Tobacco: Clear the air: The environmental toll of tobacco  
  • Vape: Hidden impacts of vaping: Health risks and misconceptions  
  • Cannabis: Your brain and cannabis: Impacts on mental health and well-being  
  • Indigenous: Sacred traditions, strong decisions: Promoting wholistic wellness through informed choices (must identify as Indigenous to submit entry to this theme)  

Prizes

The winning artists 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 Interior Health’s YOUTHWISE Advisory Council will select a winning poster for each of the five themes, and for both grade brackets (grades 6-8 and 9-12). The posters are judged based on scientific content, impact and persuasiveness, creativity, and presentation of the artwork.

Become a YOUTHWISE Advisor!

Help us create better health and well-being services for youth! If you’re a student aged 13-19 and are interested in joining the YOUTHWISE Advisory Council, please email LegalSubstances@interiorhealth.ca.

Contest forms, FAQs and additional information

Find all the forms and information you will need to participate in the contest, as well as 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? You never know – you could see yours posted here next!

2023 winners

2022 winners

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