FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEFIANCE, OH — Students across Defiance County are helping raise awareness about the dangers of vaping through a new youth-led poster campaign launching in local high schools this spring.The campaign is organized by the Defiance County Leadership Council (DCLC) in partnership with the Defiance County Health Department through a youth vaping cessation poster design contest. Winning student designs will be displayed throughout high schools across the county beginning March 16 and running through the end of May.
The initiative is supported by a Tobacco Use Prevention Grant from the Ohio Department of Health, which is being implemented locally by the Defiance County Health Department, the Defiance County Drug Free Coalition, and the Defiance County Leadership Council. The goal of the program is to prevent and reduce tobacco and nicotine use among youth and adults in Defiance County.
Students from Defiance City Schools and Hicksville Schools submitted entries for the contest, using creative designs to encourage their peers to avoid vaping and seek help quitting nicotine products.
The winning design for Defiance City Schools was created by Chloe Bloomfield, a Defiance High School senior. Her design will be displayed not only in Defiance High School but also in Ayersville, Fairview, and Tinora High Schools as part of the countywide campaign. The winning design for Hicksville Schools was created by Dania Cortez-Rodriguez, a 7th grade student at Hicksville Schools, and will be displayed in Hicksville.
“Youth leaders making their voice heard and encouraging their peers to make a healthy choice is essential in youth-led prevention,” said Jessica West, Public Information Officer for the Defiance County Health Department. “By promoting these students designed posters and sharing their message with their peers, we are helping build a culture that supports youth voices, healthy choices, and encourages our youth to live vape-free.”
Each poster includes a QR code linking to quitting resources, including the Live Vape Free program, which offers tools and support for teens and young adults who want to quit vaping or using nicotine products.
While the contest originally planned to select a single winner, the small but enthusiastic group of participants led organizers to recognize all seven students who submitted designs. Each student will receive a gift card in appreciation of their participation.
Contest winners and participants include:
Defiance City Schools
- Chloe Bloomfield (12th grade) – Contest Winner
- De’Mondre Hardimon (12th grade) – Participant
- Alissa Heller (12th grade) – Participant
Hicksville Schools
- Dania Cortez-Rodriguez (7th grade) – Contest Winner
- Chloe Metz (8th grade) – Participant
- Dawson Grupp (8th grade) – Participant
- Teagan Heitzmann (7th grade) – Participant
Students and community members who want to learn more about quitting vaping or nicotine use can visit: www.defiancecohealth.org/defiance-county-leadership-council/#resources
The Defiance County Health Department and its community partners continue working to reduce youth tobacco use and provide resources to help individuals live healthier, nicotine-free lives.
Contact
Jessica West
Health Promotion Specialist
Public Information Officer
jessica.west@defiancecohealth.org
