Winners of health unit's Break the Vape Challenge encourage teens to avoid vaping

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has announced the winners of a challenge it held to engage schools and young people in the conversation about vaping, and empower them to make informed decisions about their health. 

The Break the Vape Challenge ran from Feb. 5 to March 8 and received submissions from 27 schools across Windsor-Essex County, with more than 230 students participating. Public voting occurred from April 15 to the 26 to determine the first, second, and third place videos for two age groups.

The winning videos, which focused on the health effects of vapour products and nicotine as well as the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry, are:

Grade 6 to 8

• 1st place: Échappe le vape — École élémentaire catholique Saint-Edmond.
• 2nd place: Escape the Vape — St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School.
• 3rd place: Stop the Peer Pressure — St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School.
• Highest percentage of participating students' prize: École élémentaire catholique Saint-Edmond

Grade 9 to 12

• 1st place: Break the Vape for Mental and Physical Health — St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School.
• 2nd place: Anti-Vape PSA — Catholic Central High School.
• 3rd place: I was told it was trendy — Assumption College Catholic High School.
• Highest percentage of participating students' prize: E'cole secondaire catholique EJ Lajeunesse.

Julia Papineau, 17 and Kailey Yau, 16, who's 30-second public service announcement (PSA) video won the Grade 9 to 12 category, said it encouraged kids to not vape.

"Usually it's not talked [about] that much around at school, but it is kind of a problem that we see day-to-day," Papineau told CBC Windsor.

"It's important to recognize that. That way we can help tackle it and encourage students to not do it for the future."

Yau wants other kids to know that peers, parents and guardians are there and they should ask for help if they need it.

"[Vaping] can just really affect your health, your lungs, different cancers — you can get it," she said.

Papineau added, "It's very challenging to stop it once you do start. So, it's important that you are around your friends and you get that feedback."

The Break the Vape Challenge encouraged young people to share their creative ideas for raising awareness about the dangers of vaping. 

Moving forward, the health unit says it will use the winning videos to further promote awareness around the youth vaping issue and promote resources for those looking to quit.