Tobacco Fact File

 

Benefits of Tobacco-Free Schools l 8 Steps to Tobacco-Free Schools l Model School Tobacco Policy

 

Model School Tobacco Policy

 

You may not know exactly what to say when writing a new Tobacco-Free policy for your school.  This model policy will give you a starting point and help you in the development of your own policy. 

Model School Policy on Tobacco Use
North Carolina

 

The __________________________ School board recognizes that the use of tobacco products is a health, safety, and environmental hazard for students, employees, visitors, and school facilities.  The Board acknowledges that adult employees and visitors serve as role models for students and that the Board’s acceptance of any use of tobacco products implies school approval, if not endorsement, of such use.  In addition, the Board recognizes that it has an obligation to promote positive role models in schools and promote a healthy learning and working environment, free from unwanted smoke, for the students, employees, and visitors to the school campus.  Finally, the board recognizes that it has a legal obligation pursuant to Title X of Public Law 103-227 to provide schools that are smoke-free.

Accordingly, the Board enacts the following:

1. Students may not possess, display, or use any tobacco product at any time on school premises, including school vehicles or while participating in school events, both indoor and outdoor and both off and on school property.

2. School employees, volunteers, and visitors to the school may not at any time use or display any tobacco product in the presence of possible visibility of students on school premises, or at any school-sponsored events, both indoor and outdoor, and both off and on school property.  The prohibition of display of tobacco products shall not extend to display that has a legitimate instructional or pedagogical purpose.

3. School employees and volunteers to the school may not at any time display or use any tobacco product in school vehicles.

4. No student, employee, or visitor shall be permitted under any circumstances to use tobacco products in any indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by the __________________ County (City) Schools.

For the purposes of this policy, “tobacco product” is defined to include cigarettes, cigars, blunts, bidis, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products.  “Tobacco use” includes smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products.

Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-47; P.L. 103-227