Claymont wins youth-led media contest

This spring, the Tuscarawas County Health Department collaborated with Empower Tusc to offer a Youth-Led Media Campaign Contest for Youth-to-Youth high school groups in Tuscarawas County.

The purpose of the contest was to help youth learn about advocacy, how to be an advocate and to give them a chance to be creative in their advocacy efforts. Before completing their projects, the students received training on advocacy, the Tobacco 21 law, secondhand aerosol and the impact of nicotine product prices.

“Developing a media campaign is great way for students to learn research and advocacy skills,” said Lakyn Bergin, a public health educator for the Tuscarawas County Health Department. “According to the Ohio Department of Health, the use of vape products poses a substantial threat to the well-being of Ohio’s teens and young adults. Currently, the use of nicotine, synthetic nicotine and vape products among Ohio youth is double the national average. Together, we can help to change that.”

High school students from Claymont, Strasburg and Tuscarawas Central Catholic submitted media campaign projects. The projects can be viewed on the health department’s Facebook page. A panel of community judges selected the first-place winner, Claymont High School Youth-to-Youth. Empower Tusc Coalition attendees and Tuscarawas County Health Department staff voted for the People’s Choice winner, also selecting Claymont High School.

About 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Youth-led advocacy plays an important role in peer-to-peer education on topics relevant to students’ futures.

Students focused on educating peers that the Tobacco 21 law includes traditional tobacco products, as well as nicotine pouches, vape products and liquids used in e-cigarette devices. Aerosol from vapes and e-cigarettes can pose a secondhand inhalation risk that contains harmful substances, similar to secondhand smoke. In addition, vaping regularly may cost $50-$100 per week or $200-$400 per month.

Students can visit LiveVapeFree.com for free resources to help quit vaping or nicotine use.

Those who need help quitting nicotine or tobacco products can call the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to connect with a free quit coach. For more information, contact Lana Schrock at 330-343-5555, ext. 1860, or lschrock@tchdnow.org.