Smithtown Youth Create Vaping-Use Public Service Announcement

SMITHTOWN, NY — Members of the Youth and Community Alliance of Smithtown, in conjunction with the Town of Smithtown Horizons and Youth Bureau departments, came together to develop a Substance Use Public Service Announcement focused tackling youth vaping, the Town of Smithtown announced. This initiative was completely youth-led and youth-driven. Participants wrote the story line and acted in the PSA.

Students began brainstorming ideas and scripts in summer 2019. Taping happened at Hauppauge High School during the fall and winter. The volunteers wanted to focus on vaping since they say it's a dangerous habit common among teenagers.

"Young people in our communities are bombarded everyday with false messages that e-cigarettes are safe," Kelly Devito, Horizons Youth Services coordinator said in a news release. "When in fact, they are highly addictive and dangerous. Helping our youth understand that they are being targeted by the tobacco industry, teaching them refusal skills, and changing the perceptions of vape use as harmless are important steps in getting youth vape use to decline."

The PSA video's participants are Madelyn Melendez, Katelyn May, Joseph Fallon, Alexa Rand, Matt Barshay, Vaishnavi Ravichandar, and Gabriella Mavridis. Additional youth that helped in the PSA’s production are Isabella Milana, James Milana, Meghan Callaghan, Syd Rose, Caroline D’Amrosio, Alan Ajit, Kim Castalan, and Taormina Falsitta. Adult volunteers include Emily Just, Kelly DeVito, Madlyn Makboulian, and Alexa Stern.

You can watch the PSA here.