The social media campaign was launched in February 2021, and the County is paying for the anti-vaping advertisements with grant money from an N.C. Department of Health and Human Services program called “Healthy Communities.” Revenue from the program goes to local health departments, with the goal of reducing “the burden of chronic disease and injury in North Carolina,” which includes tobacco and e-cig use.
Recent NCDHHS data has revealed that of the 83 total health departments that received the grant money last year, 38 used the funds for meeting media messaging campaigns aimed at fighting smoking and vaping.
Other efforts
In 2020, the New Hanover County Health and Human Services Board voted to implement strict regulations on both vaping and smoking across the jurisdiction of the county. The County’s voted on and approved the proposal.
In 2010, the state legislature for North Carolina banned smoking in certain public spaces such as restaurants and lodging establishments like hotels, motels, and hostels. The local government, said the amendment pertaining to vaping would reiterate the state law but cover e-cigarette use due to the recent sharp increase in vaping.
