Chris Parnell’s Quirky Vape Character Aims to Deter Young People from Vaping
A New Campaign from Truth Initiative
Actor Chris Parnell, known for his roles in Rick and Morty, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live, is lending his voice to a new project that tackles the issue of vaping among young people. He plays a talking vape who offers “toxic therapy” to young people, highlighting the connection between vaping nicotine and poorer mental health.
The Campaign’s Goal
The truth campaign, “Toxic Therapy from Your Vape,” aims to educate young people about the harmful effects of vaping and nicotine use. The campaign offers digital resources for quitting, including a text message program and an immersive online space where users can explore tips for quitting and de-stressing.
The Quirky Vape Character
Parnell says the talking vape is probably one of the strangest characters he’s ever played. “I’ve been talking objects before, but the vape definitely is one of the top few in terms of weirdness,” he told Mashable. “But weird is where it’s at, it’s fun.”
The Connection between Vaping and Mental Health
Truth Initiative surveys show that many youth turn to vaping to relieve stress and anxiety, but ultimately report worse mental health symptoms after their curiosity turns into an addiction. Vaping can also lead to poor or disrupted sleep, which can interfere with well-being.
Parnell’s Vape Character
Parnell’s vape drives these points home by encouraging the young person at his side to indulge their most anxious thoughts or to stay up all night ruminating on things that make them feel bad. Parnell told Mashable that the writing and voice acting “makes it clear this is a scheming sort of nasty guy who wants to make things worse for the person that they’re talking to.”
Truth Initiative’s Ambassadors
Truth ambassador Karely Alcantara, 21, began vaping as a teen in high school to cope with stress. By 2021, she noticed she couldn’t run anymore without difficulty breathing. She began quitting by texting truth’s anonymous and free quit number. At first, Alcantara was skeptical that it could help, but the daily reminders from the service let her know it was OK to feel stressed or anxious by the process of quitting vaping.
Conclusion
The campaign’s focus on the connection between vaping and mental health aims to help youth understand that the harms of nicotine use can show up immediately, rather than taking years or decades to develop. Chris Parnell’s quirky vape character is an unconventional way to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, and his involvement is a testament to the campaign’s commitment to engaging young people in the conversation.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the “Toxic Therapy from Your Vape” campaign?
A: The campaign aims to educate young people about the harmful effects of vaping and nicotine use, and to provide resources for quitting.
Q: What are the digital resources available through the campaign?
A: The campaign offers a text message program and an immersive online space where users can explore tips for quitting and de-stressing.
Q: How can young people get involved with the campaign?
A: Young people can engage with the campaign through social media, including TikTok and Snapchat, where they can access online resources and interact with Parnell’s vape character.
Q: What is the connection between vaping and mental health?
A: Research suggests that vaping can lead to poor mental health symptoms, including increased stress and anxiety, and can interfere with sleep quality.
