Health & Wellness

Announcing the winners of Beyond the Buzz youth poster contest

January 29, 2025
This year's poster contest received more than 70 entries from students across the Interior Health region. Pictured here is a collage of all the submissions.

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

An illustrated poster that says Say no to Tobacco with a red line struck through a cigarette.

“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

A black and green poster with a figure smoking marijuana that says Cannabis is addictive

“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

An illustration of a pair of lungs with a road and house and trees with the caption Choose health over clouds.


"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

A poster with illustrations of a person in jail next to a car crashed into a tree that says Don't drink and drive

“Drinking alcohol makes you do things you wouldn't normally do.”  

 

Grades 9–12

Abigayle, age 14, Williams Lake – Winner, Tobacco Category

A purple illustrated poster with an anime like figure holding a cigarette with the caption Smoking causes damage to your lungs and the environment.

“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

A figure in a red hoodie holding a joint with the words Don't let your life go up in smoke above their head.

“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

A dark red and black poster with warnings and information about vaping.

“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

A yellow poster with a weigh scale with an alcohol bottle tipping up a heart that says Don't let your habit weigh you down.

"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."

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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