CATCH My Breath

CATCH My Breath is a youth vaping prevention program developed by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. The program provides up-to-date information to teachers, parents, and health professionals to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about the use of e-cigarettes, including JUUL and disposable devices. CATCH My Breath utilizes a peer-led teaching approach and meets National and State Health Education Standards. This program is free to schools in the United States.

This program is approved for WV Expanded School Mental Health.

Last reviewed: 2023

Intended Outcomes:
The overall goal of CATCH My Breath is to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette use among preteen and teen adolescents (ages 10-18 or grades 5-12). The program is designed to help students:

  • Discover that non-use of e-cigarettes is the norm for adolescents
  • Identify reasons why young people might start using e-cigarettes
  • Recognize the subtle, and not so subtle, messages in e-cigarette advertising
  • Practice skills for resisting peer pressure and advertising pressure to use e-cigarettes
  • Decide on their personal reasons not to use e-cigarettes and set goals for future non-use


The intended outcomes are to ensure that students will:
  • Resist their own curiosity, peer and advertising pressure to experiment with e-cigarettes
  • Understand that e-cigarettes are addictive, unhealthy, and not as popular as they think
  • Influence friends and peers not to use e-cigarettes

Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention

Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Physical Health, Substance Use

Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Teen/Adolescent (13-18)

Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban

Delivery Settings:
School-Based

Cultural Considerations:
A balanced amount of the research involved diverse populations

Audience:
This program is for youth who are 10 to 18 years old or who are in 5th to 12th grade.

Credentials:
This program can be facilitated by classroom teachers, counselors, nurses, other public health advocates, and peer facilitators.

Manuals:
Yes

Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info

Who can provide the required training?
Required training is available via online video or live webinar. Please refer to program website.

Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
No

Program/Practice Website:
https://catch.org/program/vaping-prevention

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:

Baker, K. A., Campbell, N. J., Noonan, D., Thompson, J. A., & Derouin, A. (2022). Vaping Prevention in a Middle School Population Using CATCH My Breath. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 36(2), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.07.013

Kelder, S. H., Mantey, D. S., Case, K., Haas, A., Springer, A. E., & Van Dusen, D. (2020). A Middle School Program to Prevent E-Cigarette Use: A Pilot Study of “CATCH My Breath.” Public Health Reports, 135(2), 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354919900887

Additional Sources:

https://www.continuum.militaryfamilies.psu.edu/program/2QAjyopgy1Zj3PrgmgsN1N

Promising rating

WV Rating:
Promising
»WV Ratings Info

Rationale for Rating:

There are only 2 studies on file due to the relative newness of the program. While the pilot studies did show promising outcomes in increasing knowledge, increasing refusal skills and possibly delaying onset of first use, there is currently too little research to substantiate a higher rating at this time.

Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified

Other Registries/Ratings

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Unclear +

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry

Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry