WESTOVER — Students from Crisfield, Mardela and Snow Hill high schools joined forces to film a youth-focused anti-tobacco commercial for the month-long observance of Take Down Tobacco Day which kicked off April 1.

The collaboration between the health departments in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties is part of the national anti-tobacco and vape campaign to empower youth “to stand out, speak up and take a stand against ‘Big Tobacco.’”

Each county health department's goal is raising awareness about tobacco and vape use among youth, and raising youth awareness about the tobacco industry’s deceptive marketing tactics.

“The initiative not only empowers students to say no to tobacco and vape products, but also gives them the tools to become a tobacco and vape-free generation,” a SCHD spokesperson stated.

The commercial will air beginning April 9 and run through May 31 across multiple platforms including the Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester County Health Department Facebook pages (@somersethealthmd, @wicomicohealth, @worcesterhealth).

The project is funded by the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund in partnership with the public schools in each county, call the SCHD at 443-523-1700 for more information or visit takedowntobacco.org.