KNOWVAPE

Idaho Public Television has recently launched a new initiative to combat the continually growing teen vaping epidemic.

The statewide campaign released an hour-long documentary called “Nic Sick,” which aired on March 21, with Idaho doctors, police officers, health experts, teens and parents talking candidly and highlighting the damaging effects of underage vaping in Idaho.

The campaign also includes an anti-vape video contest for Idaho 13-to-18-year-olds to stretch their creative muscles and create and upload a 90-second video. The video should highlight the deceitful commercial tobacco marketing tactics behind vaping, known and unknown health effects, misinformation surrounding the topic, and how addicting and harmful it can be for teens.

The contest has more than $10,000 in cash prizes awarded to the winners. The grand prize winner will be awarded $2,000; seven first-place winners will receive $500 each; three second-place winners will receive $250; and up to 14 third-place winners will receive $150.

The deadline for video submissions is April 1; teens can enter by completing the entry form and submitting an unlisted YouTube video link of their 90-second masterpiece.

The KNOW VAPE campaign was developed using a one-time $310,000 allocation from the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Millenium Fund Committee and is conducted in partnership with Idaho’s seven health districts with promotional assistance from the State Department of Education.

The Idaho Millennium Fund was first established as the result of the master settlement agreement reached with tobacco companies, which was a class-action lawsuit in which states sued the tobacco companies for marketing to minors via cartoons, sports teams and celebrities.

The settlement was a significant victory for public health advocates and has helped fund several anti-smoking campaigns and programs in Idaho and across the country. However, the battle against the tobacco industry is far from over, as new challenges emerge, including the rise of e-cigarettes.

To view the documentary, find out more information about the contest, find Idaho standards-based curriculum provided or download free resources about the dangers of vaping, how to talk to teens about vaping, and prevention and quitting resources, visit idahoptv.org/KNOWVAPE.