Policy 3513.3 - Tobacco-Free Schools

Tobacco-Free Schools

The Board of Education recognizes that smoking and other uses of tobacco and nicotine products constitute a serious public health hazard and are inconsistent with district goals to provide a healthy environment for students and staff.

The Board prohibits the use of tobacco products at any time in district-owned or leased buildings, on district property, and in district vehicles.

This prohibition applies to all employees, students, and visitors at any schoolsponsored instructional program, activity, or athletic event held on or off district property. Any written joint use agreement governing community use of district facilities or grounds shall include notice of the district’s tobacco-free schools policy and consequences for violations of the policy.

Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying of any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, tobacco, or plant product intended for inhalation, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or form, and includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates aerosol or vapor or of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking.

Tobacco products include:

1. Any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, or snuff;
2. An electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah;
3. Any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately.

This policy does not prohibit the use or possession of prescription products and other cessation aids that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, such as nicotine patch or gum.

Smoking or use of any tobacco-related product or disposal of any tobacco-related waste is prohibited within 25 feet of any playground, except on a public sidewalk located within 25 feet of the playground. In addition, any form of intimidation, threat, or retaliation against a person for attempting to enforce this policy is prohibited.

Rule 3513.3

Notifications

Information about the district's tobacco-free schools policy and enforcement procedures shall be communicated clearly to employees, parents/guardians, students, and the community.

The Superintendent or designee may disseminate this information through annual written notifications, district and school web sites, student and parent handbooks, and/or other appropriate methods of communication.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that signs stating "Tobacco use is prohibited" are prominently displayed at all entrances to school property.

Enforcement/Discipline

Any employee or student who violates the district's tobacco-free schools policy shall be asked to refrain from smoking and shall be subject to disciplinary action as appropriate.

Any other person who violates the district's policy on tobacco-free schools shall be informed of the district's policy and asked to refrain from smoking. If the person fails to comply with this request, the Superintendent or designee may:

1. Direct the person to leave school property;
2. Request local law enforcement assistance in removing the person from school premises;
3. If the person repeatedly violates the tobacco-free schools policy, prohibit him/her from entering district property for a specified period of time.

The Superintendent or designee shall not be required to physically eject a nonemployee who is smoking or to request that the nonemployee refrain from smoking under circumstances involving a risk of physical harm to the district or any employee.