(Montreal) Not vaping is a winning formula, argues Quebecer Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder, in an advertising campaign by the CQTS and the RSEQ.
Coming from the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health and the Quebec Student Sports Network, the fourth edition of the “Break the illusion” campaign targets athletes aged 13 to 17, regarding the harms of vaping.
Dort launched Maizon Dort, which promotes the health and well-being of young people. The Montreal-North athlete is also an ambassador for Tel-Jeunes.
“Getting involved with young people so that they take care of their health is very close to my heart,” Dort said by videoconference on Monday. Vaping has become [très présent] for young people.
As a basketball player who really took care of myself when I was young – especially because I had a dream – I try to give back to young people and guide them to resources. I want to tell them that they don’t need to do this to manage their stress.
Luguentz Dort
Leader of the Thunder with 125 successful three-pointers this season, Dort should go to a Montreal school by the end of the school year, for a training camp.
On Instagram, a contest offers a young person a trip to Toronto with two friends to attend a Thunder game against the Raptors on March 22. There will be a meet and greet with Dort, as well as the opportunity to take photos and get autographs.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting young people and talking with them as part of this campaign,” Dort said. I really appreciate the opportunity given to me. »
The CQTS noted the seriousness of the problem of vaping.
“It’s a crisis. It is urgent to identify the harms of vaping, said Annie Papageorgiou, executive director of the organization. First, dependence, one of the main risks associated with vaping.
Some young athletes think they have a solution to their anxiety, but they quickly end up with an addiction. Nicotine can also harm their academic performance, because it impairs their memory, in addition to harming their athletic performance.
Annie Papageorgiou, general director of the CQTS
“To raise awareness among young people, we need to talk to them often and find new people to carry the [même] message, she added. This is where Luguentz is essential for us: young people admire him and he represents a dream.
“That he agreed to be the spokesperson is much cooler for athletes than the lady from the CQTS who tells them what to do to live better and feel good about themselves. »
Efforts are aimed at reaching a very popular audience on both sides these days.
“ [Les jeunes] are in high demand, so we have to be very active, added Stéphane Boudreau, deputy director general of the RSEQ. We cannot allow vaping to become commonplace. Counting on Luguentz helps us enormously. He projects an image of success and determination. »
The CQTS and the RSEQ launched a Quebec-wide campaign including television, the web, publications on social networks, posters in schools and outside, including bus shelters. This will last three or four weeks.
In a 15-second ad, a young athlete symbolically throws a vaping device into a trash can, before being applauded by his teammates for his gesture.
An educational kit can be downloaded by school stakeholders, including physical education teachers.
In addition, the site briselillusion.com is full of information on the harms and dangers of vaping.
Last year, a similar campaign involved Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers, also from Montreal North.
Defensive ace, Dort is fifth among his team with an average of 10.7 points per game this season.
He posted by far his best career success rate for three-point shots (41%).
Sunday, he was 4 for 4 in this aspect, in a 124-93 victory for the Thunder against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Leader in the West, the Thunder will play again Tuesday at home, against the Pacers (8 p.m., Sportsnet +).