Policy 1331

Community Relations

Smoke Free Environment – Use of Tobacco Products

The Board of Education recognizes the health consequences of tobacco use and the reports from various medical sources identifying health hazards for tobacco users/smokers and nonsmokers.  It is the desire of the Board to provide a safe and healthful environment for students and adults who use school premises.

The Board of Education prohibits smoking and the possession or use of tobacco and nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco or snuff, smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco, nicotine delivering chemicals or devices that produce the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances, or any other tobacco or nicotine innovations, at any time, by anyone, in school buildings, on school property, or on transportation provided by the Board of Education.

Definitions

Electronic nicotine delivery system means an electronic device that may be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of nicotine or other substance to a person inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device.

Vapor product means any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may or may not include nicotine that is inhaled by the user of such product.
Smoking shall be prohibited inside all school facilities at all times, including when buildings are used by the community or authorized organizations.  Signs will be posted, and penalties will comply with current State/local regulations.
An ongoing program of student support and counseling will be offered to provide support for students who wish to break the smoking habit.  Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.  The Superintendent shall propose and the Board of Education shall approve procedures and regulations to ensure that any student violating this policy is subjected to disciplinary action.

Legal Reference:    Connecticut General Statutes
Policy adopted:May 5, 2015    
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2015