A yearlong project undertaken by Windham and Raymond students in conjunction with the Be The Influence coalition aims to keep air indoors and outdoors clean throughout Lakes Region communities and improve everyone’s health and the environment.
“Following the path of the National No Smoking indoors and the State of Maine outdoors no smoking spaces, Windham High School students felt it important that town ordinances stay current with the trends and available products within the community,” said Patrice Leary-Forrey, Be The Influence Project Director. “With the use of vapes and the medical and recreational use of marijuana in Windham, students wanted to make sign changes to open spaces in the community and keep current the no-smoking message and prevention education for the town.
The Clean Air project is open to any students in Grades K to 12 in RSU 14 who wish to participate and includes three phases.
The first phase of the project was to present to members of the Windham Town Council a sign change for public spaces indicating that vaping is not allowed. Participating students attended the Windham Town Council meetings in November to propose the sign ordinance change and the measure was discussed by councilors and passed unanimously during a council meeting on Nov. 12.
Existing signage in parks and town properties only listed a prohibition on smoking materials until the council approved amending the signs to include vaping.
The second phase of the project will be to create a community wide education on the change through what Leary-Forrey said is called the Clean Air Cling.
“This is an art design contest for youth in the community using art and doodle designs that represents clean air spaces both indoor and outdoor for all,” she said. “The designs will be voted on by a jury of adults and peers on Dec. 11 with the winning design printed on a window cling for distribution throughout the Windham and Raymond communities.”
Students can submit a two-dimensional art design for the Clear Air Campaign focusing on promoting healthy air free from tobacco, vape and marijuana smoke in town parks, trails, boats, cars and other spaces.
All submissions must be sized 4 inches by 4 inches circular and printed on a clear background. Those submitting entries are asked to use no more than four colors in their design. Digital design or 2-Dimensional artwork with a file resolution 300 dpi, bleed 0.125 are required and they must be submitted in PDF/PNG format with one submission allowed per student.
The deadline to make submissions for the art design contest is midnight Nov. 30.
Ultimately a five-person jury of two students and three adults will vote on the winning submission. The winner's artwork will become the property of BTI to be used for the 2025 Clean Air Window Cling Campaign.
Leary-Forrey said that the third phase of the “Clean Air Campaign” is prevention education of the health impact of Tobacco/Vape/Marijuana on an individual and for public and personal spaces.
“The Window Clings will be distributed by students in the spring and summer for individuals and families to put on their boats, cars, business, homes and they support clean air and community health and wellness,” she said. “The idea is to raise awareness of the science behind smoke of all types and the individual health impact it can have over time. Students will help distribute the window clings, prevention materials and provide the Quit Link/QR codes to anyone who wants to improve their personal health and wellness.”
According to Leary-Forrey, BTI is supporting this youth-driven “Clean Air Campaign” project and is committed to supporting youth and keeping the community healthy and thriving.
“Keeping the community current with education and awareness so that everyone can have a positive healthy experience when visiting and accessing indoor and outdoor spaces in Windham and Raymond is the primary goal for this project,” she said.
Be The Influence (BTI) Coalition has been nationally recognized by the Federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for its highly successful youth engagement with students and schools as well its “Arts in Prevention” Series. It is funded by the DFC, a Windham/Raymond collaboration of local individuals, businesses and organizations that work together to reduce youth substance use and misuse with its mission to raise awareness and address these concerns by creating a safe space for everyone, particularly those in their formative years.
For further details about the “Clean Air Campaign,” call BTI at 207-804-6742 or send an email to btidirector@windhammaine.us <
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