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Connecticut

Connecticut Launches Anti-Vaping Advertising Campaign

The state department of health is using dark humor to highlight risks of vaping for local youth.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Asthma

Bold vector editorial illustration of a glass flask filled with thick, swirling vapor on a clean workbench, representing public health anti-vaping efforts.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is launching an anti-vaping campaign, 'It's Tox-Ick,' to warn residents about chemicals found in e-cigarette aerosols. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Connecticut Department of Public Health has launched an anti-vaping advertising campaign titled It's Tox-Ick to reach teens, young adults, and parents. The initiative uses dark humor to compare vaping chemicals to pesticides and formaldehyde.

Why it matters

The campaign aims to prevent new users from starting while encouraging current vapers to quit. By highlighting the chemical risks of vaping, health officials intend to challenge perceptions and make the potential health impacts feel immediate.

A 2025 survey from the Connecticut Department of Public Health found that 12.2% of high school students reported vaping in the previous 30 days. This reflects an upward trend from the 11.5% reported in 2023 and 10.6% in 2021.

The players

Connecticut Department of Public Health

This state agency is responsible for implementing health policies and overseeing wellness initiatives for Connecticut residents.

Decker

This creative agency was hired by the state to develop and produce the anti-vaping advertising campaign.

The details

Created by the agency Decker, the advertisements appear on platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Meta, streaming audio, and connected TV. The campaign directs audiences to the resource Vapefreect.org for further information regarding the hazards of e-cigarettes.

Timeline

  1. 2019: Peak year for youth vaping in Connecticut.

  2. 2021: High school vaping rate of 10.6%.

  3. 2023: High school vaping rate of 11.5%.

  4. 2025: High school vaping rate of 12.2%.

  5. March 2027: Conclusion of advertising campaign.

Health Landscape

This campaign follows a pattern set by the 2019 Connecticut youth vaping peak in attempting to curb adolescent nicotine use. It reflects ongoing efforts to address the gradual increase in student vaping rates observed over the last four years.

Residents may see these advertisements across various social media and streaming platforms as part of the statewide awareness push. Parents and teens are encouraged to visit the campaign portal to review information about the specific chemical risks associated with vaping.

The takeaway

Understanding that vaping involves inhaling chemicals like formaldehyde and pesticides is the core message of this health push. Families should use this information to discuss the immediate health risks with teenagers in their community.

What happens next

The advertising campaign is currently scheduled to conclude in March 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about local respiratory health initiatives on our Connecticut Asthma page.

More information

For more details on the risks of vaping, visit the anti-vaping information portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by MediaPost.

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Do you believe aggressive public health advertising campaigns are effective at changing youth behavior?