About the program

A new approach for high school prevention.

UP2U is a universal, school-based program developed to fill a specific gap in high school tobacco and nicotine prevention — with a hybrid model built for today's product landscape.

Learn About UP2U Read the Research
The program

What is UP2U?

UP2U is a universal, school-based tobacco and nicotine product intervention program designed for 9th grade students.

It combines a 45-minute teacher-led classroom session (UP2UTeacher) with a 10-week digital booster (UP2UDigital) — 30 messages, quizzes, and videos displayed on the classroom smartboard during the attendance transition at the start of class. No new technology or additional instructional time required.

"Universal" means the program is delivered to all students — not just those who are currently using. Everyone receives the same content, with no labeling or separation by use status.

Diverse group of high school students walking through a library
The gap it fills

Why it was created.

The steepest rate of tobacco and nicotine initiation during adolescence occurs at the transition into 9th grade.

At the same time, most existing prevention programs were designed for middle school students or focused narrowly on e-cigarettes — leaving a gap for 9th graders navigating the full range of tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs): e-cigarettes, combustible products, nicotine pouches, and more.

UP2U was developed specifically to address this window — when students are entering high school, when peer norms become more influential, and when students first encounter a rapidly evolving product landscape.

What sets it apart

What makes it different.

  • Universal design

    Works for non-users and current users in the same classroom — no separation, no labeling, no stigma. Every student receives the same content.

  • All product categories

    Addresses e-cigarettes, combustible products, nicotine pouches, and other tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs) — not just whatever is currently most visible.

  • Built into school infrastructure

    Delivered through existing Health and PE classes and the classroom smartboard — no new systems, no new accounts, and minimal additional burden on teachers or students.

The two-part model

How the model works.

Part one

UP2UTeacher

A fully scripted, teacher-led interactive classroom session. Students participate in activities, view peer-based content, and engage with social norms, industry tactics, the Vape-Stress Cycle, and health effects. A brief anonymous pre-assessment is completed before the session begins.

45 minutes

Part two

UP2UDigital

Thirty messages, quizzes, and videos displayed on the classroom smartboard three times per week for 10 weeks — shown during the attendance transition at the start of class (~5 minutes). No student devices or logins required. Projecting to the whole class is designed to prompt peer conversation — consistent with the social diffusion model — and to reinforce UP2UTeacher content over time. Students complete a brief post-assessment at the end of the 10-week period.

10 weeks · 3 posts/week
Audiences

Who it's for.

  • Students

    9th grade students in participating Virginia public high schools. Both users and non-users take part — the program is designed for all.

    Student Resources

  • Teachers

    Health and PE educators who deliver the classroom session and schedule the digital follow-up on their classroom smartboard.

    Teacher Portal

  • Parents and caregivers

    Families who want practical guidance on today's products, how to talk with their teen, and how UP2U supports their student's school.

    Parent Resources
Current phase

Where it is now.

UP2U completed a pilot study in Virginia public high schools and is now being evaluated in a full-scale Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT).

The trial is a 3-arm cluster randomized design evaluating UP2UTeacher alone, UP2UTeacher + UP2UDigital combined, and a no-treatment control — across 27 Virginia public high schools. The primary outcome is TNP initiation at 12-month follow-up. Results are pending. The program is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the University of Virginia Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Research. Participation is at no cost to schools or students.

Read the Research Visit the Teacher Portal

Ready to learn more?

Explore resources for students, educators, and families — or contact the team for program information.

Student Resources Teacher Portal Contact the Team