WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2014 – The Defense Department has opened voting to the public for a tobacco countermarketing video competition called “Fight the Enemy.”
Sponsored by the innovation office under Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, “Fight the Enemy” declares tobacco use an enemy that degrades health, fitness, work productivity and mission readiness, officials said.
Last fall, service members from around the globe submitted videos promoting tobacco-free living. Ranging from humorous to poignant, the videos focus on changing the culture and social norms that perpetuate tobacco use among service members.
According to the 2011 DOD Survey of Health-Related Behaviors, almost half of service members use tobacco products, which are linked to heart disease, stroke and lung diseases. The reports found higher incidences of tobacco use among junior enlisted service members ages 18-24, whom the videos intend to reach, officials said.
“Improving the health and well-being of service members is a national imperative,” Woodson said. “We ask the defense community to help us make tobacco-free living a cultural norm by harnessing the power of social media and sharing the videos with their social networks.”
People interested in voting can see the videos on the “Fight the Enemy” website or the Military Health System’s YouTube l and click on the “like” button to vote.
Noting that sample social media posts are available on the “Resources” page of the “Fight the Enemy” site, officials said viewers are encouraged to share the videos through their own social media channels to increase viewership and votes.
Public voting will be open until March 14. The video with the most “likes” will be declared winner of the People’s Choice Award. A panel of DOD judges will select winners for first, second and third place in the competition.
Winners will be announced on March 19 in conjunction with National Kick Butts Day, officials said.
