Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Jan. 8, 2024
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is offering a vape/smoke-free challenge for students in our region. The challenge takes place in January and February and encourages secondary school students in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC) to participate in one of two challenge categories: “Quit and Win” or “Don’t Start and Win”. The challenge encourages all registrants to quit or stay vape/smoke-free for the month of February. Registration will occur throughout January, with a final push during National Non-Smoking Week, January 21 to 27.
According to the World Health Organization’s Director for Health Promotion, Dr Ruediger Krech, the use of e-cigarettes among 16 to 19-year-olds in Canada doubled from 2017 to 2022. This contest aims to increase the number of quit attempts among HPE youth, which will ultimately decrease the number of youths who vape or smoke. Those who currently do not vape or smoke are also rewarded for their choice by participating in the contest.
“This campaign will provide an incentive for young people to make a behaviour change that will improve their short and long-term health,” says Sheryl Farrar, Manager of Healthy Schools. “We know that most commercial tobacco users express interest in quitting, yet may put off trying for a variety of reasons. This happens across all age groups, and we see the same hesitancy among young people who use vaping products.”
Registration is now open and can be done through hpePublicHealth.ca/hpe-quits-contest/ or with the help of the school public health nurses (PHN). Registration closes Jan. 31, 2024. Once they register, participants will receive tips and tools to help them on their vape/smoke-free journey, including links to the quit smoking/vaping app Quash which contains information about dealing with nicotine withdrawal, and how to access cessation support from a PHN or other trusted sources. HPEPH encourages parents and teachers to share this challenge with the secondary school students in their lives.
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Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
