HOW TO ENTER

STEP 1: CREATE YOUR VIDEO AND FOLLOW THE RULES

Use your imagination and develop your masterpiece. You may use any platform to create your video, but it must include one key fact and a call to action. Whether it’s funny or serious, your video should focus on educating your peers about the harmful effects of vaping.

Make sure you follow all the rules in the Contest Guide (PDF)!

Submissions that do not meet the required qualifications or do not follow the contest rules may be disqualified.

STEP 2: MAKE IT OFFICIAL

All participants must complete the required permission and submission forms. If you’re participating as a group, only one group member should submit your video. Once you submit you will receive confirmation that we received your video.

Key dates

  • Dec. 1, 2026: Contest opens, submission accepted

  • Jan. 31, 2027: Submissions due, contest closes

For more information, including a submission checklist to help make sure you submit a qualifying entry, see the Contest Guide (PDF).

STEP 3: GET REVIEWED, GET VOTES, WIN!

Videos will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Does the video adhere to all of the contest rules?

  • Is the video creative and original?

  • Is the video technically sound?

  • Are facts in the video accurate?

  • Does the video include one key message and one call to action?

  • Is the video content presented in a creative way?

  • Is the video message persuasive and motivating to young people?

Submissions will be reviewed by a team of youth and adult judges. Finalist videos will be posted to the Escape the Vape Video Challenge website for the public to vote and determine the winning videos.

If you’re a finalist, encourage your friends, family, and classmates to vote.

TIPS FROM PAST WINNERS

INSPIRATION

  • Watch previous winners’ videos

  • Write an original song

  • Use sound effects

  • Create a short story or make a parody 

  • Draw inspiration from a personal vaping experience 

  • Create an animated short

  • Compose a poem

  • Use a catchy or creative hook

  • Be yourself - individuality is what sets you apart

Preparing to film

  • Review the facts

  • Practice your video content before filming

  • Try brainstorming new ideas

  • Make a team – groups can have up to 4 people

  • Make a plan or timeline to create deadlines for yourself

Filming

  • Create a script ahead of time 

  • Try to avoid slideshows and instead film your group talking

  • Film in sections so you can have different backgrounds

  • Create cool visuals in between scenes with an app

  • Use props and staged backgrounds

  • Use a storyboard to plan your video

  • Experiment with angles and perspectives 

  • Add graphics or text overlays