Town Board Recognizes Video Students for Vaping Awareness Project

Five Huntington High School students enrolled in the Video Broadcasting II course were recognized at the Huntington Town Board meeting earlier this week for raising awareness about the dangers of vaping.

The Vaping Awareness Month project demonstrated a level of creativity that caught the eye of town board members. The students created PSAs (public service announcements) on the topic after gathering information from the Town of Huntington's Opioid Addiction Task Force.

“The goal was for students to create something with an emotional impact to make their peers think twice about vaping and to realize the dangers,” teacher Kristen Temperino said.

The students recognized were Sophie Hoffman, Dylan McKean, Marcus Argaman, Jude Creegan and Ryan Donovan.

“Vaping Awareness Month is an opportune time for anyone addicted to vape products to make a quit-attempt,” according to the New York State Quitline, which encourages everyone to try the new DropTheVape texting program and to connect with a Quit Coach through phone or online for additional support. At a minimum, practice fewer puffs little by little until feeling fully ready to quit. Improved health, money savings and renewed freedom are just three of numerous benefits to tobacco-free living. The NYS Quitline is ready to help.”

Most vape products contain toxic chemicals that can lead to a variety of harms, including damage to the brain and lungs. High concentrations of nicotine can lead to addiction, especially among youth and young adults. “New York State Quitline participants often cite difficulty breathing, lack of focus and impulse control, and feelings of depression among the negative side-effects they encounter when vaping,” according to the organization.

The Huntington High School PSAs can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eCHg9cCStVpvLVOSWv5hhTMjpC1zvfx2?usp=drive_link