Interior Health (IH) is asking young artists to share their thoughts and experience in its annual youth poster contest, Beyond the Buzz 2.0: Youth Voices on Substance Use, for a chance to win a gift card of $150 of their choice.

Young people are the experts when it comes to understanding why youth use tobacco and vape, and how it impacts them, their friends, family, school and community – it’s critical to hear their voices. The poster contest is intended to engage schools, families, communities – and most importantly students – in meaningful conversations about substance use.

Contest details

Students from Grade 6 to 12 within the IH region are invited to submit original artwork in the form of a poster, illustration or infographic in one of the following themed categories:

Alcohol: Choices on Tap: Alcohol, Youth & Consequences.

Tobacco:  Tobacco impact: Commercial Tobacco’s Environmental & Community Legacy. *

Vape: Unmask the Vapour: Nicotine, Addiction & Hidden Dangers.

Cannabis: Mind at Risk: Cannabis, Brain Development & Youth Well‑Being.

*Commercial tobacco is not reflective of traditional, ceremonial, sacred and medicinal uses of raw tobacco by Indigenous, and other cultures.

The contest, underway now with entries due by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, is split into two age brackets: one contest for youth in Grades 6 to 8, and the other for youth in Grades 9 to 12. The contest themes will remain the same for both age groups.

A panel of teen judges from IH’s YOUTHWISE Advisory Council will select a winning poster for each theme within each age bracket. The winners will receive a gift card of $150 in value and have their artwork professionally printed and shared with their school district, shared throughout the IH region and displayed on IH’s social media channels and website.

The winners will be announced during the week of Jan. 18, 2026 – National Non-Smoking Week.

For more information about the contest and how to enter, visit interiorhealth.ca/takeabreath.

Interior Health

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