CATCH My Breath

Helping Youth Stay Vape-Free

Vaping is not harmless. Over 2 million youth in the U.S. are currently vaping. This addictive behavior can damage the brain, lungs, and heart, while also impacting mental health, school attendance, grades, and relationships with family and friends. Prevention is key. Our substance use prevention team offers CATCH My Breath, the nation’s leading evidence-based youth vaping prevention program, to schools across our region. This free program is designed for students in grades 5–12 and gives young people the the knowledge and skills they need to resist vaping and choose healthy, tobacco-free futures. CATCH My Breath has reached more than 2 million students nationwide, in an effort to reduce vaping and tobacco use among young people by increasing their knowledge about the harms of nicotine and encouraging positive attitudes about living vape-free.

Why CATCH My Breath?

  • Backed by Research – Developed by UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and supported by the National Institutes of Health.

  • Proven Impact – Shown to reduce the likelihood that students will start vaping.

  • Wide Reach – Implemented in more than 5,500 schools across all 50 states and Canada.

  • Student-Led, Adult-Guided – Encourages peer leadership with support from teachers, school staff, and community partners.

  • Stronger Connections – Builds healthier school environments and supports families.

Program Highlights

  • Grade-Level Curriculum – Four lessons per grade band (grades 5–6, 7–8, and 9–12); each lesson is 30–45 minutes.

  • Easy to Implement – Scripted lessons available in English and Spanish.

  • Parent Resources – Materials for caregivers of children in grades K–12, available in English and Spanish.

  • Supplemental Lessons – Includes topics on cannabis vaping, STEM and humanities connections, and physical education adaptations.

  • Youth Voice – A national Youth Advisory Board helps shape program content and initiatives.

Our team provides training and support to schools implementing CATCH My Breath. While the curriculum is free to access, professional development is recommended to ensure program quality and sustainability.

Learn more about the program at catchmybreath.org