CATCH My Breath NYC Schools
A pivotal partnership to address youth vaping among New York City students.
Student PSA Contest
Empowering New York City Youth to Live Vape Free
In collaboration with the New York City Public Schools and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, CATCH is providing its nationally-recognized and evidence-based youth vaping prevention program, CATCH My Breath, to public school educators serving middle and high school students.
Through a generous grant from the New York Health Foundation, up to 210 educators during the 2023-2025 school years will receive free training on CATCH My Breath program implementation, customized parent and student engagement resources, and quarterly access to a vaping prevention e-Newsletter and Communities of Practice event in order to learn the latest research and best practices. Additionally, middle and high school students will be engaged across New York City in youth empowerment and service learning opportunities via a citywide public service announcement (PSA) contest in the 2024-2025 school year.
Despite the numerous health consequences, vaping and e-cigarettes continue to gain traction among youth in New York City. In 2019, one in six high school students reported using e-cigarettes. Nearly five times as many high school students in New York City use e-cigarettes than smoke cigarettes. In 2018, one in 15 middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are particularly harmful for youth because those who use them are more likely to start smoking cigarettes, and additionally, nicotine impacts youth brain development.
The goals of the CATCH My Breath NYC initiative are to reduce the initiation of nicotine vaping by middle and high school students by building the capacity of educators to deliver vaping prevention education to students and parents, and empower students to choose and advocate for a vape-free lifestyle.
New York City Educators
We have greatly enjoyed engaging with you in our CATCH My Breath Implementation trainings and are here to support you!
Program Fidelity
In an effort to capture your important efforts with the number of students and grade levels that went through the CATCH My Breath program, we ask that you take a minute to fill out this two-question survey.
Complete Survey
Student Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest
Are you passionate about youth vaping prevention in your school or community? We invite you to submit a video expressing your passion and creativity to spread this powerful message!
This PSA contest is open to all New York City middle and high school students, with a limit of one video entry per student. Students are responsible for creating the PSA and may seek assistance from teachers or other district staff members. Cash prizes will be awarded to the student winners.
| Middle School |
High School |
| 1st Place: $500 |
1st Place: $500 |
| 2nd Place: $300 |
2nd Place: $300 |
| 3rd Place: $200 |
3rd Place: $200 |
| Honorable Mention: $100 |
Honorable Mention: $100 |
Video Submission Deadline: May 30, 2025
Video Winner Announced: June 2025
Students may submit an entry on their own or as a team of two. If a team is selected as a winner, the prize money will be split evenly between both team members. Please be aware that each student contestant, including students who appear in the created PSA, are required to complete a NYCPS Third Party Media Consent Form. Download the consent form and upload all signed forms for participating students at the time of submission.
For more information, view this document or email [email protected] with any questions.
Sign Up
To sign up to join the CATCH My Breath NYC Schools initiative, please complete the interest form below! Training seats are available to interested NYC educators on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sign Up Now
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected] anytime!
What People Are Saying
I didn’t know that vaping was so bad. A lot of people do it because other people do it. I would tell them to stop now that I know how bad it is.
— 8th Grade Student, Judith K. Weiss School
I really enjoyed reading through the new 5th and 6th grade curriculum. I thought the teachers notes were very helpful and the activities and videos were age appropriate. Congratulations to your team for completing this large undertaking. I can’t wait to teach the updated curriculum.
— Emily Hayes, Williamson County Health Department
CATCH My Breath NYC is generously sponsored by the New York Health Foundation and New York Community Trust.
Many thanks to our dedicated partners at the New York City Public Schools and NYC DOH.
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