Why?

Although the use of commercial tobacco in New Mexico has gone down over the past ten years, some groups of people still smoke or chew more than others. And tobacco-related deaths and disease are higher in certain population groups than in others.

These differences are called tobacco-related disparities.

There are many reasons the burden of commercial tobacco use is higher for some groups of people, including:

- Community norms that favor the use of commercial tobacco
- Social oppression resulting in tobacco use as a stress reduction strategy
- Targeted marketing by tobacco companies
- Less access to health information and quality health care
- Lack of inclusion in the tobacco prevention movement

In New Mexico, young people smoke more than older people. That’s why we’re running this contest – to help New Mexico youth produce tobacco counter-marketing messages targeting youth.

But some young people use commercial tobacco more than others. In general, youth from lower income households, LGBT youth and young people with physical or emotional disabilities tend to use commercial tobacco more than other youth. So our judges will give extra points to scripts and storyboards that specifically target these groups.

In New Mexico, Native Americans and people who speak languages other than English probably don’t use commercial tobacco more than other people, but they often don’t have as much access to health information and resources that can help them stay tobacco free. At the same time, they often confront barriers to being included in the tobacco prevention movement. We want to help change that by producing tobacco counter-marketing messages targeting Native American youth and young people who speak languages other than English. So you’ll also get extra points if your script or storyboard is directed toward these groups.

By producing great tobacco counter-marketing messages aimed at the groups experiencing tobacco-related disparities, we can have a bigger impact on tobacco use in New Mexico. Thanks for helping us make a difference!

> links to more info

Questions?
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