Oswego County and CiTi Partner on Vaping Prevention & Education PSA Campaign
Oswego County and CiTi BOCES has partnered to launch a countywide Youth Vaping Prevention & Education PSA Campaign in partnership with Trellis Marketing, Inc. and New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
As an innovative use of JUUL settlement funds, this partnership combines the strengths of county government and the education community to deliver consistent, evidence-informed messaging throughout Oswego County. By working together, the partners aim to expand awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, and ensure residents have easy access to local support services.
The campaign will also serve as a model for how counties and educational organizations can work together to maximize the impact of settlement funding while ensuring resources reach those who need them most.
"This partnership reflects our shared commitment to protecting the health and well-being of young people in Oswego County," said Diane Oldenburg, Oswego County Associate Public Health Educator. "By bringing public health and education together, we're able to create a stronger, more unified approach to youth vaping prevention."
Recognizing the adverse impact vaping has had on area residents, Oswego County and CiTi BOCES pooled resources to take advantage of a multi-media PSA campaign that delivers compelling creative to educate residents on the dangers of vaping use and provide resources on how to seek help.
"CiTi BOCES is excited about our partnership with the Oswego County Health Department and we understand that it is critical in ensuring we reach all of the youth of Oswego County," said Julie Landy, Director of Assessment, Professional Growth and Community Services Initiatives at CiTi BOCES. "Our goal is to equip every young person in Oswego County with the knowledge, confidence, and support to make healthy choices. By working in partnership, we can create a community where youth thrive, free from the risks of vaping."
The Vaping Prevention & Education Program developed out of the Opioid Awareness & Education Program which had its beginnings in 2018 when members of the New York State Coroners Association were distraught at the volume of deaths resulting from opioid overdoses and felt compelled to “do something.” They reached out to the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and Trellis Marketing, who was engaged early in the conversation and crafted award-winning creative and a cost-effective media plan that delivered this vital messaging throughout New York State.
Today the challenge remains not only with opioids but also now with vaping. While the total number of young vapers has declined from its 2019 peak, those who do vape are more heavily addicted, using products daily, and struggling to quit. The landscape is now dominated by high-nicotine, flavored disposable devices that are often illegal, easily concealed, and frequently used to cope with mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
“Our research shows an 18.7% youth vaping rate in New York State—nearly double the 10% national average and a serious public health concern,” said Steve Acquario, Executive Director of NYSAC. “We commend the leadership in confronting this crisis and are proud to endorse this PSA campaign, which highlights the dangers of vaping, its associated health risks, and how it is a gateway to nicotine addiction.”
The campaign is supported by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), which has worked alongside counties across New York State to encourage strategic, evidence-based investments of opioid and JUUL settlement funding.
For more information on the Oswego County and CiTi BOCES Vaping Prevention & Education PSA Campaign please, visit unvapeoswegocounty.org. Counties across the United States interested in participating in this important initiative can visit www.trellismarketing.com/compellingPSA/.