The Surrey school district is calling on students to submit artwork for a Youth Against Vaping poster contest in light of the nicotine product being a “serious concern” in schools.
A collaboration between the district’s Safe Schools program and Fraser Health, the contest is open to students through the student advocacy initiative to raise awareness around the dangers of vaping, a press release from Surrey Schools reads.
“We found that there are youth raising the question about what they can do to help stop kids from vaping or for them to quit vaping,” said Nicole Hovbrender, a member of Fraser Health’s Healthy Schools program.
“We created this partnership to raise awareness about the negative health impacts of vaping and to empower youth to have a voice in policy changes at both the municipal and provincial level.”
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The district states that vaping continues to be an issue in Surrey’s schools, even though the sale of the product is prohibited to those under the age of 19. Students who do not use the substance can be uncomfortable among their peers who do, the release goes on to say.
“We believe that youth voice can enhance the work of safe school liaisons and substance use liaisons within our department by advocating youth concerns with vaping relating to school safety and personal health and wellness,” said Dakota Grange, acting assistant manager of Safe Schools.
Open to elementary and secondary students, the contest is running now until Monday, May 6 at 3 p.m. Each submission must consist of speaking to change the student would like to see made towards vaping policies while also raising awareness around the youth advocacy group.
Each submission can be from an individual student or a class as a whole, with first, second and third places chosen. Poster designs or queries for more information can be sent to sul@surreyschools.ca
“It’s really about creating awareness and helping youth realize they have a voice in advocacy work,” Hovbrender said.