Anti-Vaping And Anti-Smoking Initiatives Seek To Improve Health In Teens And Adults

Ejiofor-Chioma-2024-012 – Chioma Ejiofor is leading the teen anti-vaping and adult anti-smoking initiatives for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Photo provided by GoldStar Communications.
Ejiofor-Chioma-2024-012 – Chioma Ejiofor is leading the teen anti-vaping and adult anti-smoking initiatives for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Photo provided by GoldStar Communications.

Anti-Vaping And Anti-Smoking Initiatives Seek To Improve Health In Teens And Adults

By Tia Carol Jones

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has been trying to work to improve health outcomes by developing anti-vaping and anti-smoking initiatives for teens and adults. The “Me and Nic Broke Up,” initiative is geared toward getting teens to stop vaping, began in the Spring 2024. The adult anti-smoking initiative is part of CDPH’s newly formed Tobacco Community Coalition, which kicked off in December of 2024. Chioma Ejiofor is a Public Health Administrator who is leading the teen anti-vaping and adult anti-smoking initiatives for CDPH. She answered questions for the Citizen Newspaper about these initiatives.

Citizen Newspaper: When did these initiatives begin and what are the ultimate goals of the initiatives?

Chioma Ejiofor: The "Me and Nic Broke Up" media campaign began Spring of 2024. This campaign - developed by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and agency Youth Marketing Connection (YMC) - exemplifies an innovative approach to youth-focused public health messaging. Designed to combat the prevalence of vaping among teenagers, the campaign leverages social media, student creators, humor and relatability to effectively engage its audience. The initiative's central concept framed the relationship with nicotine as a “situationship,” a term familiar to students, capturing the ups and downs of informal relationships they could identify with. This strategy cut through conventional anti-vaping rhetoric by using humor to highlight the negative aspects of vaping without sounding preachy.

The Tobacco Community Coalition kicked off December of 2024 and is a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Public Health, Phalanx Family Services and existing community partners on the far south side of Chicago. Our goal is to implement evidence-based strategies and practices that prevent and reduce use of menthol and other flavored nicotine devices. While the coalition began on the far south side, the ultimate goal is to extend it city wide.

Citizen Newspaper: How is the Chicago Department of Public Health engaging with teens to get information out?

CE: As part of the #MeAndNicBrokeUp campaign strategy, CDPH is amplifying the voices of Chicago youth through student-created social media content. The goal is to illuminate the dangers and consequences of vaping, promote CDPH initiatives such as the Scholarship Pledge, and share resources for maintaining a vape-free life style.

The TikTok mini-series “Me and Nic Broke Up” was crafted to authentically connect with Chicago youth by portraying relatable, real-life scenarios that reflect their everyday experiences. Filmed in the Chicago suburbs, the series follows Liv and Kaden, two friends whose comedic dynamic captures viewers’ attention while ultimately encouraging them to "break up" with nicotine. With compelling storytelling that cuts through the noise, the series delivers impactful messages and directs audiences to resources that encourage a commitment to a vape-free lifestyle. Both the student creator videos and TikTok mini-series can be found using the hashtag #MeAndNicBrokeUp on TikTok.

The Me and Nic Broke Up Scholarship Pledge offers four (4) $2,500 scholarships to randomly selected Chicago-based students who commit to living a vape-free lifestyle. Launched in September of 2024, this initiative encourages teens to make their “break up” with nicotine permanent.  Two scholarships were awarded in December of 2024 and an additional two will be awarded May 2025.

In the summer of 2024 the Chicago Department of Public Health’s ”Break Up Snack Shop” brought an engaging and rewarding experience to teens in Chicago, encouraging them to break up with nicotine. Featured at Go Grind Friday Nights and TIP Fest in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the pop-up urged participants to pledge to live a vape-free lifestyle and provided them with facts and resources surrounding cessation. Attendees enjoyed a customizable popcorn bar, offering a variety of seasonings in a nod to the diverse flavors used by vape products, along with a gamified prize system that rewarded them for their breakup with “Nic.”  It is our hope to host another pop-up event this summer.

The “Inked Intentions” activation harnesses the power of personal commitment and positive reinforcement to support those quitting nicotine. This event fosters a supportive environment by combining educational resources with interactive elements. Attendees pledge to live vape-free, engage with inspiring content, and create personalized reminders for their quitting journey. By leveraging their own voices as a source of encouragement, “Inked Intentions” helps students stay motivated and committed to their goal of breaking up with “Nic.”

Citizen Newspaper: What are the lasting effects of a teen vaping?

CE: Currently, there isn't concrete data on the long-term effects of vaping. There is very little research on this and the information we learn grows every day. What we know is that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and a known health danger. Contrary to popular belief, e-cigarettes do not simply contain harmless water vapor; the Aerosol from e-cigarettes contain harmful substances such as cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into lungs.

Citizen Newspaper: How can parents help influence their teens not to vape?

CE: Parents can influence their teens not to vape by being role models and not vaping themselves. They can educate themselves on the dangers of nicotine use and pass this information to their teens. Teens often report that vape use stems from underlying mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety or depression). Parents can assist by creating safe spaces for teenagers to voice mental health concerns to guardians or mental health professionals.

Citizen Newspaper: Where can teens go to get resources to help them stop vaping? 

CE: www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/healthy-communities/teen-vaping-smoking-cessation.html

Citizen Newspaper: Is CDPH monitoring the use of Zyns in teens and adults?

CE: We are aware of the emerging use of Zyns amongst teens and adults. We do not have a lot of data on this issue yet, but we are monitoring the situation and beginning to strategize on possible interventions.

Citizen Newspaper: What are some of the ways smoking as an adult can affect someone’s overall health and wellness?

CE: Smoking harms almost every organ in the body and is a risk factor for several chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Smoking is a risk factor for cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

Smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off infection.

Citizen Newspaper: Where can adults go to get resources to help them stop smoking?

CE: The Illinois Tobacco Quit Line provides free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy for Illinois residents. The ITQL can be reached by calling 1.866.Quit-Yes (1.866.784.8937) or visiting www.quityes.org.

For more information about these initiatives and other Chicago Department of Public Health programs, visit www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph.html.


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