The Los Angeles Dodgers are encouraging fans to “Let the Smoke Clear” through a vape-free campaign announced Monday in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The World Series championship team is especially encouraging teens to make educated choices for themselves about vaping and connect with resources to “help them win on their journey to a tobacco-free life.”
As part of the campaign, an online video contest, with prizes such as a custom jersey and a chance to Zoom with Dodgers catcher Will Smith, will accept entries through Nov. 15 using the hashtag #WhyIDontVape at Dodgers.com/LetTheSmokeClear.
“#WhyIDontVape is clear. As an athlete, I need my mind and body to be at peak performance to help my team win,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the original vape-free messages from our young fans and meeting the contest winners to thank them for spreading this important anti- vaping message.”
Public Health officials report that one in 10 high school students in Los Angeles County regularly use e-cigarettes, which have been proven to lead to nicotine addiction and other potential damaging health effects, including negatively impacting brain development and brain cell activity in people under the age of 25, affecting attention span, learning and memory.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that although there has been a decline over the past year in e-cigarette use among teens, use of menthol or flavored disposable e-cigarettes has increased.
“That’s why it’s important now more than ever to continue efforts that educate our youth on the dangers of vaping and encourage them to live a vape-free life,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Our partnership with the Dodgers will spark the creative talents of our teens through this video contest.”
More information and resources to help quit vaping can be found at LAQuits.com/vaping.
