The Fairfield Health Department unveiled a new way to warn teenagers about the dangers of vaping.

The new anti-vaping campaign uses other teens and social media. Fairfield officials say that this is a better way to combat the depictions of vaping that many teens see on social media.

“I’ve never been afraid to be myself. No vaping. It’s not who I am. I prefer to keep myself as healthy as possible,” says Pedro Espada, a high school basketball star. He says that vaping could make negatively impact his game.

Students from several local high schools took part in the anti-vaping videos in a joint effort by the Fairfield Health Department and Fairfield CARES Community Health Coalition.

“They listen to each other…they can be positive influences with each other so it's about creating those positive social norms,” says Cathy Hazlett, director of Fairfield CARES. Scarlett Aguele will be a sophomore in the fall. She says that vaping is not cool and has a message for those who want to try it.

“And I don't think this is something you should be doing - or trying - even if you think those people are cooler than you,” she says.

These kids are stepping up to crush peer pressure with videos, standing apart from the crowd, and showing a different kind of independence for the Fourth of July holiday.

Funding for the videos came from the Connecticut Department of Health.