Tobacco Free Policy

“To protect the health of our students, staff, and visitors, we would like to remind you that our school is 100 percent tobacco free. Please refrain from using tobacco products anywhere on campus. Thank you for your cooperation.”

RATIONALE

The Board of Education has a duty to protect and promote the health and well-being of all students and staff. The board is acutely

aware of the serious health risks associated with the use of tobacco products; both to the users and non-users, and that most

tobacco use begins by the age of 18. The board recognizes district personnel and school visitors serve as role models to students

and, therefore, adopts this 100% tobacco-free school policy to endorse a healthy lifestyle and prevent tobacco use.

DEFINITION

For the purpose of this policy, “tobacco” is defined to include any lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette and any other smoking products, and both spit and spitless tobacco, also known as smokeless, dip, chew, Snus and snuff, in any form.

TOBACCO USE PROHIBITED

No student, staff member, volunteer or school visitor is permitted to smoke, inhale, dip, chew or use tobacco at any time, including non-school hours; in any building, facility or vehicle owned, leased, rented or chartered (by school district); or on school grounds,athletic grounds or parking lots.

No student, staff member or volunteer is permitted to smoke, inhale, dip, chew or use tobacco at any time, including non-school hours, at any school-sponsored event off campus. Additionally, no student is permitted to possess cigarettes, other tobacco products, papers used to roll cigarettes, lighters or other paraphernalia at any time.

TOBACCO PROMOTION PROHIBITED

Tobacco advertising is prohibited on school grounds, in all school-sponsored publications and at all school-sponsored events.

Tobacco promotional items including clothing, bags, lighters and other personal articles, are not permitted on school grounds, in school vehicles or at school-sponsored events.

NOTICE

“No Tobacco” signs will be posted throughout the district at entrances and other appropriate locations on all academic buildings, administrative spaces and athletic fields indicating tobacco use is not permitted.

Students will be provided notice of this policy through student handbooks, and district personnel will be provided notice of this policy through personnel handbooks.

District vehicles will display the international “No Smoking” sign.

Announcements will be made during home athletic events both before the event and during intermission, as well as at all school functions where deemed appropriate.