6th – 8th Grade Student Campaign
UNDERAGE VAPING PREVENTION
Our Goal: To reduce and prevent underage vaping by educating 6th-8th grade students on the misconceptions and risks of using vapes.
Posters
WHAT WE DO
Throughout the school year, vaping prevention posters are displayed on the walls and TV monitors throughout each middle school and junior high that we work with. By educating students on the risks of vaping and broader health topics, these state-designed posters help guide students in making healthy choices.
A new poster is put up every month, alternating between shorter PSA and longer newsletter formats. By changing the material each month, students continue to notice and engage with the important messages that the posters are sharing.
Committee
The 6th-8th Grade Power of Choice Committee is made up of representatives from every D204 middle school and D203 junior high. These representatives are school counselors, vice principals, school social workers, psychologists, and more. The committee also includes vested community members and parents. At our bi-monthly meetings, the committee works to:
- Discuss trends that they have noticed in our schools and community
- Give feedback on current campaign efforts
- Suggest and facilitate opportunities for Power of Choice programming
- Help guide new initiatives and materials
Presentations
Upon request, Power of Choice provides free educational presentations on vaping, stress, and communication. The period-long presentations discuss the risks of vaping, harmful advertising tactics that vaping companies use to target youth, alternative ways to cope with stress, communication concepts, and the creation of a self-care plan.
Surveys
Towards the end of the school year, Power of Choice begins conducting parent and student feedback surveys. We use the results of these surveys to guide the next year’s campaigns.
The student survey asks 6th-8th graders to share what sources of information they find credible, what types of materials they pay attention to, where they most often notice materials, and about if/where they have seen the past year’s materials.
OUR IMPACT
For 8th Graders in Districts 203 and 204
- 99% are vape-free (past 30 days)
- 96% have never used a vaping product
- 100% have never used a non-vaping tobacco product
- 99% have not used marijuana in the past year
6th – 8th Grade Student Campaign
UNDERAGE VAPING PREVENTION
Our Goal: To reduce and prevent underage vaping by educating 6th-8th grade students on the misconceptions and risks of using vapes.
