Announcing the 2025 winners

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. 

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

2025 Winners

Learn more about the artists and their inspirations behind their incredible artwork!

Winners, Grade 6 to 8
Commercial Tobacco - Jude

poster made by youth on tobacco use and negative affects
Vaping - Mana
poster made by youth on vape use and negative affects
Cannabis - Maverick
poster made by youth on cannabis use and negative affects
Alcohol - Tom
poster made by youth on alcohol use and negative affects
Winners, Grade 9 to 12
Commercial Tobacco - Sam

youth made poster about tobacco use and negative affects
Vaping - Ysha
youth made poster about Vape use and negative affects
Cannabis - Willow

a poster made by a youth reflecting affects of cannabis on mental health
Alcohol - Devynkayne
youth made poster about alcohol use and negative affects

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 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

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Announcing the Beyond the Buzz 2.0 youth poster contest winners

Eight youth have been selected winners for the 2025 Beyond the Buzz contest 2.0. See the winning posters, & their views on tobacco, vaping, cannabis & alcohol.

/stories/announcing-beyond-buzz-20-youth-poster-contest-winners

6 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Grand Forks doctor’s addiction medicine program making an impact

Since starting an addiction medicine program in Grand Forks in 2018 Dr. Mark Szynkaruk has seen powerful success stories of people breaking cycles of addiction.

/stories/grand-forks-doctors-addiction-medicine-program-making-impact

3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Why you should buy food only from approved vendors

Health officers work with food operators to help ensure food sold to the public is safe to eat. Here’s how you can spot a vendor that isn’t permitted by IH.

/stories/why-you-should-buy-food-only-approved-vendors

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Policy specialist finds joy in her role

Tineke was the first policy specialist hired at IH. For two-plus years, she has helped organize many IH policies.

/stories/we-are-ih-policy-specialist-finds-joy-her-role

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Why U.S. medical lab professionals are looking to work in Canada

Recent regulatory changes are making it easier for U.S.-trained lab professionals to find a job in Canada. Attractive benefits make the move north enticing.

/stories/why-us-medical-lab-professionals-are-looking-work-canada

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc grad offers midwifery care close to home

As a doula, Sage Thomas attended a home birth where the family integrated Indigenous ceremonial practices. She’s now practising midwifery in her home community.

/stories/tkemlups-te-secwepemc-grad-offers-midwifery-care-close-home

STAY CONNECTED

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

Sign up today
mail