For the past 6 years, UAB and Children’s of Alabama (COA) has been the primary site for the Birmingham Youth Tobacco Prevention Program (YTPP). The YTTP is funded by the Alabama Department of Public Health with the goal of preventing youth tobacco use through school-based education to middle and high school students.

Under the leadership of Dr. Susan Walley, UAB Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric hospitalist at COA, the Birmingham YTPP has provided education to approximately 9000 middle and high school students in the Birmingham metro area. The curriculum ranges from one to five in-person or (with the COVID pandemic) virtual sessions with the goal of improving student knowledge of and reducing intent to use tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes and vape. The Birmingham YTPP partners with the evidence-based Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit curriculum, a curriculum that evolves to meet the needs of students each year and identifies changes in tobacco-use trends.

In addition to reaching students, the grant team has also been able to present education on tobacco prevention and cessation to over 20 community organizations and professional groups, ranging from healthcare providers to addiction prevention organizations to parent groups. Other work of the Program includes policy assessment in local school systems and partnership to develop effective school policies that protect students and staff from tobacco use and tobacco smoke exposure.

Find more information about vaping and tobacco use in Alabama visit the Take Down Tobacco Alabama website.

Interested in receiving tobacco prevention education at your local school or community group? Contact Amelia Warnock at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..