***Corrected on March 7, 2024***
Clatsop County today launched Escape the Vape, a youth vaping prevention video contest with cash prizes for youth and their school.
Clatsop County middle and high school-age youth are invited to create and submit a 30-second public service announcement video to educate their peers on the dangers of e-cigarette use, also known as vaping.
“It is extremely powerful and effective when youth share with their friends and peers the dangers of vaping, including the mental and physical health harms associated with the high nicotine content in e-cigarettes,” said Carolina Guerrero-Lara, health promotion specialist.
Nationally more than 2.1 million youth use e-cigarettes and 9 out of 10 use flavored e-cigarettes. One quarter of teens who get addicted to nicotine are hooked within a month, according to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
Submissions will be entered into a competition for cash prizes for youth and their schools. There categories are: 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th.
- 1st place winner in each category- $500 for the individual and $500 for their school
- 2nd place winner in each category- $450 for the individual and $450 for their school
- 3rd place winner in each category- $400 for the individual and $400 for their school
- Two runner ups in each category- $50 each for the individuals only
Video submissions will be accepted starting Thursday, Feb. 8 through 11:59 p.m. March 31, 2024 via the Escape the Vape website. Each video submission will be reviewed by a team of youth and adult judges and five finalists will be selected.
Their videos will be posted on the Escape the Vape website on Wednesday, April 17, with online voting to determine the final rankings. Voting will be open to the public at Escape the Vape from April 17 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Escape the Vape is a collaboration between a broad group of Clatsop County youth serving organizations working reduce youth e-cigarette use.
For more information about the contest, go to escapethevapeclatsop.com/.