The Region 7 Tobacco Prevention and Control Program supports eight counties in central North Carolina: Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wilson.
Together, these departments make up the North Carolina Alliance of Local Health Directors and collaborate to promote healthy, tobacco-free communities through education, youth engagement, and local policy initiatives.
The Region 7 Tobacco Prevention and Control Program is part of North Carolina’s statewide effort through the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch (TPCB) to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, expand cessation support and protect public health across all 100 counties.
Tobacco Prevention and Control
In Region 7 (comprising eight counties in central North Carolina), we engage local health departments, community coalitions, schools, municipalities and youth organizations to:
- Prevent initiation of tobacco and e-cigarette use;
- Promote smoke-free and vape-free environments;
- Support cessation among those who use nicotine; and
- Advance health equity by reaching populations disproportionately affected by tobacco exposure.
Local tobacco prevention and control collaboratives provide infrastructure and coordination at the regional level. Through federal and state funding—including Juul Settlement funds—we build capacity for evidence-based strategies, technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation.
By elevating prevention efforts, especially among youth and young adults, Region 7 is working toward a tobacco-free future across Wake and its neighboring counties.
Juul Settlement & Funding Source
North Carolina’s landmark legal action against Juul Labs created a sustainable funding stream for tobacco and vaping prevention, cessation and evaluation efforts across the state, including Region 7.
The settlement
- In June 2021, Attorney General Josh Stein reached a $40 million settlement with Juul, holding the company accountable for its role in fueling youth vaping in North Carolina. NCDOJ, North Carolina Health News
- As part of that settlement, Juul agreed to significant business practice changes, including ending social media and influencer marketing directed at people under 21, prohibiting new flavor introductions without FDA approval, enforcing age-verification measures, and limiting advertising near schools. North Carolina Health News, NCDOJ, Public Health Law Center
- In December 2023, the state secured an additional $7.8 million, bringing the total expected payments to $47.8 million over approximately nine years. NCDOJ, NC DHHS
- Under the revised consent order, Juul may apply for a waiver for payments in years 7–9 based on demonstrated progress and compliance, pending approval from DHHS and the Attorney General’s Office. NC DHHS
How the funds are being used
This funding mechanism has enabled a strategic shift in North Carolina’s tobacco control efforts: placing greater emphasis on youth and young adult vaping prevention, supporting state and local innovations, and sustaining regionally coordinated responses to the evolving nicotine landscape.
Funds support a range of prioritized interventions:
- Prevention: youth-focused education campaigns, school-based vaping prevention curricula, and community awareness initiatives
- Cessation: expanding access to quit resources, including for youth and young adults
- Data and Evaluation: monitoring vaping trends, evaluating program effectiveness, and maintaining transparency via publicly accessible documents
- Document Repository: as part of the settlement, Juul must release internal records—the first ~280,000 documents are now available, and UNC Chapel Hill is partnering with UCSF to host a searchable depository of nearly 4 million documents. Gillings School of Public Health
Regional Focus Areas
Our current regional priorities include:
- Youth and Young Adult Engagement – Encouraging schools to adopt alternatives to suspension and supporting youth voices through creative campaigns such as Project Open Air.
- Tobacco Retail Environment Assessments – Assessing availability and point-of-sale marketing around youth-serving locations.
- Policy and Environment Change – Assisting counties, municipalities, schools and housing authorities to adopt smoke-free and vape-free policies for the benefit of youth and young adults.
- Cessation Support – Promoting QuitlineNC (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and community cessation programs.
- Data and Evaluation – Tracking tobacco use trends and measuring program impact across the region.
Project Open Air: Youth Voices for Change
Project Open Air is a regional contest inviting students to use their creativity—through art, video, music and photography—to inspire peers to live tobacco-free.
This inaugural competition helps young people express what a healthy, tobacco-free future looks like in their communities. Winning submissions will be featured in public awareness campaigns across Region 7.
Deadline to submit: March 31, 2026!
Suggested topics to explore:
Media submissions may use data, community insight and creativity to explore tobacco prevention topics relevant in North Carolina, such as:
- Tobacco and vaping advertising and price promotions
- Menthol and flavored tobacco product exposure
- Tobacco retailer proximity to schools
- Youth use of e-cigarettes and vapes
- Tobacco-free housing or school environments
- Intersection of tobacco with mental health
- Cultural narratives on health
Why it matters
- Youth exposure to retail marketing and flavored products remains high.
- Menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes are still disproportionately used in Black communities.
- Smoke-free policies, when paired with youth leadership, improve public health outcomes.
- Giving youth a creative voice builds community accountability and leadership skills.
Who can participate?
- Students (middle school, high school and college level)
- Youth and young adults participating in local youth programs (community-based organizations, health departments, etc.)
- Adult allies may only participate as support for youth in producing quality content.
Participation is flexible. Groups may work independently or in partnership with the Regional Tobacco Prevention & Control Program.
Types of media to submit
- Short video interviews: Youth-led interviews, storytelling, PSAs, or documentary-style videos on tobacco marketing, access, or health impact.
- Spoken word performance: Original spoken word, poetry, or audio reflections tied to tobacco use, vaping, or public space norms.
- Photo essays: A sequence of original images with captions highlighting how tobacco and vaping show up in everyday environments.
- Digital art or animated PSA shorts: Creative posters, animated messages, or illustrated stories promoting tobacco- and vape-free spaces.
Eligibility
- Youth and young adults must reside or attend school in one of the eight counties in Region 7: Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson.
- Group submissions are allowed (up to three people per group).
- Participants may submit work that was also submitted elsewhere, such as school projects or other competitions.
How to participate
- Sign up as a Project Open Air partner or participant.
- Youth and young adults may volunteer directly.
- Community-based organizations may identify a group of youth and a lead contact.
- Choose your format: Decide which content type you or your group will create.
- Schedule an orientation/kickoff: Schools and community programs may request a workshop from the Regional Tobacco Prevention and Control Manager.
- Create and submit your entry: Projects will be submitted for public digital showcase. Participants and interview subjects must complete release forms.
- Celebrate and showcase youth voices: All youth will be showcased on official social media platforms. Winners will be featured in a virtual showcase event in April 2026.
Entry criteria
Submission guidelines
- Must be original, youth-led, and created by you or your team.
- Must directly address tobacco or vaping-related harm, access, or prevention in your North Carolina community.
- Must be free of copyrighted material unless protected by “fair use.”
Use of AI tools
- Students may use AI tools for editing, design, audio mixing, or idea generation.
- Short interview videos and spoken word pieces must be live-recorded with real voices and images.
- Photo essays and digital art/animated PSAs may include AI-assisted visuals if student-directed and relevant.
Format and quality requirements
- Video submissions: 1–3 minutes, clear audio, stable footage, good lighting, .mp4 or .mov format (720p minimum, 1080p preferred).
- Photo essays: 4–6 original images (.jpg or .png) with captions.
- Spoken word: Video or audio with transcript. If audio-only, submit .mp3 or .wav.
- Digital art/animated PSAs: Original creations in .mp4, .gif, .jpg, or .png.
Required info with submission
- Full name
- Age
- Grade level or college year
- School
- County
- Project title and media category
- Short description (2–3 sentences)
Consent and release forms
If your submission includes other people, each must complete a media consent/release form.
Important notes
- Submissions with inappropriate language, violent imagery, or unrelated content will be disqualified.
- Projects must be submitted by the deadline.
- Group entries are limited to three people.
Judging criteria
Entries will be evaluated by community judges (educators, public health professionals, youth advocates). Judges will look for heart, creativity and clarity.
Scoring (100 points total):
- Relevance to theme (20)
- Clarity of message (20)
- Creativity and originality (20)
- Effort and presentation (20)
- Community impact potential (20)
Entry age groups
- Middle school (grades 6–8)
- High school (grades 9–12)
- College/young adult (ages 18–24)
Prize opportunities
Each age group will have winners across all four submission types. Categories must have at least three entries to activate top-tier prizes.
Get involved
Everyone plays a role in creating a healthier, tobacco-free Region 7. Here are ways to take part:
- Join the regional coalition – Connect with your county health department’s tobacco prevention program.
- Youth – Sign up to participate in Project Open Air and other youth activities.
- Adults – Email the Regional Manager to volunteer or learn more.
- Spread the word – Share Project Open Air and other initiatives with your networks.
- Support local policies – Advocate for smoke-free environments in schools, parks and public housing.
- Quit today – Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit QuitlineNC.com for free help.