Eight youth have been selected as winners for the 2024 Beyond the Buzz: Youth Voices on Tobacco, Cannabis, Vaping & Alcohol poster contest.
Youth in grades 6–12 living in the Interior Health region were invited to participate in the contest. Judges from the Interior Health YOUTHWISE Advisory Group, all youth themselves, evaluated and scored each poster based on a specific set of criteria.
The intent of the poster contest was to spark meaningful conversations about youth tobacco, cannabis, vapour product and alcohol use, and their impacts on youths’ health, environment and their communities.
“By collaborating with youth, we learn and understand how they view the effects of tobacco, cannabis, vaping and alcohol on their lives, their friends and their communities,” says Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, a medical health officer at Interior Health. “The contest is also an opportunity to invite youth—who, with their developing brains, are more vulnerable the effects of the substances—to empower and educate themselves and others. If we can intervene earlier, we can help assure the long-term health of our younger generation.”
Meet the winners
Grades 6–8
Maya, age 12, South Slocan – Winner, Tobacco Category
“I hope to deliver a message that it is wrong for youth to use tobacco and/or vape. Lots of kids in my school do it and I feel bad for them thinking it is necessary. Smoking tobacco is bad for the planet and your health.” Maya also wants to credit her friend Ava for helping her with her poster.
Olivia, age 13, Creston – Winner, Cannabis Category
“I think [tobacco, cannabis, vaping and alcohol] are a big concern because most of these drugs are directed to teens like us. I think it’s important to bring awareness among us about how bad these things can and will affect us.”
Jeremy, age 13, and Ash, South Slocan – Winner, Vape Category
"If you harm your body there will be consequences later in life." Jeremy would like to credit his friend Ash for helping him with his poster.
Cruz, age 11, Nelson – Winner, Alcohol Category
“Drinking alcohol makes you do things you wouldn't normally do.”
Grades 9–12
Abigayle, age 14, Williams Lake – Winner, Tobacco Category
“I think there should be more screening in cannabis, alcohol and vape stores. Personally, knowing some people who vape and smoke, I wonder how they get these things from stores or other youth. It has not only a large negative impact on your physical health but your mental health too.”
Elizabeth, age 14, Lac La Hache – Winner, Cannabis Category
“I hope to spread awareness that drugs can destroy your dreams and your life if you let them.”
Landon, age 17, Kamloops – Winner, Vape Category
“I wanted to highlight the addictive aspects of vaping. Once someone becomes dependent on harmful chemicals, quitting becomes much more of a challenge. This is why educating the youth on the risks and dangers is crucial: it allows individuals to make better life decisions.
It hurts to acknowledge the fact this can affect anyone. Without teaching youth at a young age, they cannot comprehend the extreme dangers connected with these substances. In turn, I hope to live a clean and healthy lifestyle, continue to play sports, further my post-secondary education and become a contributing member of society.”
Avyn, age 17, Creston – Winner, Alcohol Category
"I chose to picture alcohol use in my poster. In my poster, I wanted to show how alcohol can start to take over someone’s life, even when they don’t realize it. By weighing out a bottle of liquor and a heart, with the alcohol tipping the scale, I was trying to visually show that alcohol can take a bigger and bigger hold, leaving less room for what really matters—like your health, relationships and future. The message is that, over time, alcohol can weigh you down and control your life, and it’s important to recognize that before it becomes too much."
Get more information on smoking, vaping, cannabis and alcohol
Resources for schools
The Interior Health Legal Substances Team offers resources to school district staff and other youth allies who are working to address the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and vapour products among youth:
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