JOIN THE ESCAPE
The Escape the Vape Video Challenge is an opportunity to use your voice and creativity to inform your peers about the dangers of vaping or using other commercial tobacco products, the shady tactics the industry uses to market its products, and the benefits of being nicotine-free. Create and submit a powerful public service announcement (PSA) for a chance to win cash prizes.
Contest dates
Dec. 1, 2026 – Contest opens
Jan. 31, 2027 – Submissions due
March 2027 – Finalists announced and public voting opens
April 2027 – Winners announced
For more details, including rules and tips for creating your video, see the contest guide.
Get extra credit
Short-form videos dominate social media. They can be as short as just a few seconds, and they’re ideal for platforms like TikTok or Instagram’s reels because users scroll through quickly, spending limited time watching each video. Some studies show that it only takes 10 seconds for a user to decide if they’ll watch the rest of a video before scrolling on.
Short videos are better because they capture attention fast, fit platform algorithms, and drive more engagement and reach. In a world where time is limited, brevity is a competitive advantage. But despite their effectiveness, shorter videos aren’t necessarily easier to produce. They require creators to be succinct and efficient in their messaging – it can be hard to say a lot in such a short amount of time.
Winning videos that are 15 seconds in length or shorter will be awarded extra credit – a $50 bonus cash prize.
AN ENEMY TO YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Vaping not only exposes you to toxic chemicals, it can increase anxiety and stress, and make depression symptoms worse. Despite these dangers, about 1 in 4 U.S. teens vape daily. And believe it or not, just one disposable vape can contain as much addictive nicotine as 35 packs of cigarettes! Yuck! That’s like smoking 700 cigarettes!
It’s no surprise so many young people vape. The commercial tobacco industry uses advertising tactics that attract young people, and many students report seeing promotions for vapes stores, online, and on social media. These products are designed to be both appealing and addictive - vapes come in thousands of flavors and most contain extremely high concentrations of nicotine. Nicotine is the addictive chemical in cigarettes, vapes, and other commercial tobacco products. For people under the age of about 25, nicotine exposure can harm brain development, make you susceptible to future addiction, and worsen mental health.
