Creative Spark Fund
Step into a realm where inspiration sparks and imagination flows. From murals that speak to collective values to thought-provoking podcasts, these projects embody the voices of youth leaders promoting tobacco and nicotine prevention in their communities.
This showcase is a celebration of their stories. Explore. Listen. Watch. Experience how these young changemakers are turning their ideas into legacies.
"The Above the Cloud Campaign," by ARTSF dispelled common myths promoted by the vaping industry on their merchandise.
"DITCH It!" Sticker Shock Campaign by Lawrence Youth in Action distributed stickers on proper vape disposal across 7 Lawrence Public Schools.
"Whirlwind of Vaping," by Fitchburg Afterschool Program was one of three murals displayed at Memorial Middle School.
"Lung Disease is Calling," by Fitchburg Afterschool Program was one of three murals displayed at Memorial Middle School.
"Don't Pre-order Death," by Fitchburg Afterschool Program was one of three murals displayed at Memorial Middle School.
Hoops and Homework's infographic
"Sueños Educational posters," by Sueños Basketball were informational prevention posters shared throughout the Lawrence community.
"Every Breathe Counts," by Salt of Abington: They say it’s just vapor. Just clouds. Just flavor and light. / But I watched a whole future fog up between first period and last bell. / He’s sixteen. Backpack heavy with textbooks and quiet worries. Locker dented. Phone buzzing. World loud. Expectations louder. / So when the hallways feel like pressure chambers and the mirrors keep asking questions he doesn’t know how to answer, he reaches for relief the size of a USB drive. Small enough to hide. Strong enough to rewrite chemistry. / They sell it like comfort. Like calm in a cartridge. Like stress with an off switch. / No lectures. No prescriptions. No questions asked. / Just inhale. / And inside his chest, something listens. / Lungs that once held laughter from pickup games, breath from sprinting toward a buzzer beater, air from rapping dreams into the dark start to dim like a room with the lights slowly turned down. / Inside those lungs live plans. / A cap and gown waiting its turn. A sketchbook full of cities he hasn’t seen yet. A college letter still sealed with hope. A heartbeat that believes he can be more than statistics. / But addiction is patient. It does not kick the door in. It pulls up a chair. Whispers, stay a while. / This isn’t rebellion. This is self-medication with no label. This is grief with no language. This is pressure searching for a release valve. / They call it an epidemic because it spreads quietly. Because it moves through group chats and bathroom stalls, through stress and silence, through the places where adults aren’t listening. / Because when pain goes untreated, something else will volunteer. / And suddenly the dreams inside his lungs start coughing too. / This is not about bad kids. This is about good kids drowning in expectations, learning to cope from whatever is closest to their hands. / So if you’re listening, listen deeper. Not just to the hiss of vapor, but to the sigh underneath it. / Because our youth are not disposable. Their breath is not a bargaining chip. Their futures are not meant to disappear in smoke. / Clear the air. Protect the lungs. / Guard the dreams. / They need space to breathe, not another reason to fade.
"Wheel of Wellness," by Braintree Community Partnership contained information to educate youth about the dangers of vaping.
"What's Inside Your Vape?" by Natick Above the Influence was a life-sized vape display showing the harmful chemicals that are in vapes and what everyday items share those chemicals.
"Cocoa & Clear Lungs," by Braintree Community Partnership provided vaping resources along with hot cocoa to participating students in red clothing.
“The Boardroom,” by The Cabot In Focus
A short film mocking the deceptive marketing tactics used by tobacco companies.
“Peer Pressure PSA,” by Youth United
One of several video shorts from the “See Through the Smoke” series.
“Peer Pressure Do and Don’t,” by Youth United
One of several video shorts from the “See Through the Smoke” series.
“Behind the Advertisements,” by TEASA
Find more episodes of the podcast series “TEASA Talks,” at their website!
“Real Talk, No Smoke E1,” by Sí, Se Puede Youth
Find more episodes of the podcast series “Real Talk, No Smoke,” on YouTube!
“Choose Yourself. Choose Health. Stay Vape-Free.” by Hoops and Homework
Vaping and tobacco continue to target young people. This project pushes back—encouraging peers to think critically, choose themselves, and prioritize their health.
Creative Spark Archive
Check out some older projects from previous years!
Uplifting Lynnfield's Youth Voice June 16, 2025 Lynnfield, Massachusetts This portable mural will be on display at various town events and locations. The physical structure was built by a Lynnfield High School (LHS) student. LHS students designed and painted the mural. The mural shows a young person raising her voice with actual phrases submitted by students on how they choose to raise their voices.
Sailing Towards a Nicotine Free World June 14, 2025 Belchertown, Massachusetts The Helping Hands student group of Belchertown High School collaborated on creating this design to support youth nicotine prevention and awareness in a creative manner. It will reach many community members as several local families, caregivers, and youth attend the town beach during the summer months.
Breath Life In June 12, 2025 Stoneham, Massachusetts Stoneham Teen Center youth involved, mural depicts a set of healthy lungs with a road map to street.
Teens vs Tobacco Podcast Easton, Massachusetts This a series of 4 podcast episodes titled: Media Interpretation/Influence, Teen Brain Health and Tobacco, Mental Health and Tobacco, Use and Refusal Skills. The Easton Middle School 97 Health Club is a youth led club that strives to support the health of their EMS peers.
Safe Vape Disposal Project May 17, 2025 Needham, Massachusetts 20 Needham High School students participated in this project. They researched the issue, identified an opportunity and they found a way to safely dispose of flammable e-cigarettes in Needham.
Drop It Arlington, Massachusetts Sixteen Arlington Students About Prevention (or ASAP for short) decided to build five lock boxes for the purpose of collecting discarded vaping materials from neighborhood woods and playgrounds. They will be painted and installed this fall. The ASAP students hope that other students and citizens vaping will consider quitting, be connected to helpful resources and that litter in the community will be reduced.
Stay Away (Stay Awake) Boston, Massachusetts This song finds a vocalist, Taylah, singing to her peers warning them about the tobacco industries destructive nature. Jerome then raps about the industry's nature from the perspective of the industry itself. Nate then follows up with a verse inspiring hope and dismantling the games the industry is running in their community. This is a demo and the video is being shot currently. The beat was produced by 3 of Teen Empowerment Studios' Youth Artists.
Creative Spark Commercial Beverly, Massachusetts The Cabot in Focus students show you their life, free from smoking and vaping.
Cycles
East Boston & Revere
Pablo Giraldo Jaramillo; Director, Angelica Muñoz; Project Manager/ Writer, Eleanor Klauder; Primary writer, Eoin Godfrey; Producer, Tomás Labrador; Music Director, Gabriel Arias; Bassist, Charley Belaney; Ideator
The youth combined 175 hours of creative energy, led with curiosity and explored with honesty. The video depicts the stresses and expectations of a youth who begins to feel isolated from their community and friends. The lyrical narrative within this context conveys a recurring desire for relief that cycles back into isolation, deepening the craving for further relief. The tension builds within the character and only breaks when they experience a full, felt sensation of being held and wanted. This piece was crafted with empathy in the driver’s seat—it neither blames nor others the character facing addiction. Instead, it highlights how community, a sense of belonging, and a strong felt(physical and present) connection to a caregiver can be a step toward healing—and how that healing truly breaks the cycle. They hope to release this as a YouTube video with a release party at ZUMiX.
Still Targeting Us
Lynn, Massachusetts
The documentary was written, firmed and produced by 6 teens from Girls Inc. They are addressing the unjust tobacco practices in Lynn and how, despite education and increased awareness, the nicotine industry still targets minority communities.
New Bedford Youth Parks and Recreation
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Fernando leads a discussion with Givel F. who is a collegiate athlete and shares interesting experience with tobacco, heart break, and reasons for tobacco use.