Longwood middle school student wins poster contest on nicotine dangers

A Longwood middle school student's poster on the dangers of liquid nicotine has won the top spot in a countywide contest.

Rohan Akmal, a sixth-grader at the Middle Island school, won first place in the contest, which asked elementary schoolers to create a public service announcement poster about the dangers and adverse effects of liquid nicotine on children and adults. 

Rohan's poster, created using markers, featured two scenes: a community with nicotine and a community without nicotine. The nicotine-free community consisted of more vibrant colors and depicted healthier people having more fun.

For winning, his illustration will appear on the cover of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services' 2019 brochure. He also received a proclamation from Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai).

"I was very surprised," said Rohan, 11, noting he participated as part of an extra-credit assignment for his health class.  "It wasn't in my mind that I would actually win."

The winning illustration was selected by Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Copiague) after each legislator had selected a finalist from their district.

"I congratulate Rohan on a job well done and thank him for teaching his peers the dangers of nicotine," Anker said.

Rohan is also a member of his school's Junior Robotics Club and is a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports ambassador at his school.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.