FILE: EBA
TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOLS
Because tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, disease, and disability, the St. John the Baptist School Board shall provide a Smoke-Free Campus (Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act) and Tobacco-Free school environment (Louisiana’s Tobacco-Free Schools policy – the Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program).
Smoking, or possessing any other form of smoking objects or devices, or possessing any lighted tobacco products (e.g. smoke, smokeless, spit, spitless, etc.) on any school campus, school vehicle, or parish School Board property are prohibited.
School campus includes the elementary or secondary school building and buildings on that campus.
School Board property shall include any portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any property owned, operated, or leased by the board.
This prohibition on smoking, tobacco, and smoking object/devices shall also apply to all visitors and contractors that enter on School Board property.
All tobacco products are also prohibited at school-sponsored functions (e.g. field trips, athletic events, proms, dances, promotional activities, etc.) including those away from school property.
Smoking and tobacco advertising shall be prohibited on all School Board property.
STUDENT TOBACCO USE
Smoking, or possessing any other form of smoking objects or devices, or possessing any tobacco products (e.g. smoke, smokeless, spit, spitless, etc.) on any school campus, school vehicle, or parish School Board property are prohibited.
School campus includes the elementary or secondary school building and buildings on that campus.
School Board property shall include any portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any property owned, operated, or leased by the board.
All tobacco products are also prohibited at school-sponsored functions (e.g. field trips, athletic events, proms, dances, promotional activities, etc.) including those away from school property.
Parental permission to smoke does not exempt a student from this policy. Violations shall subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action.
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
"Smoke Free/Tobacco-Free" signs shall be displayed on school property. Notice of this policy shall be posted at the entrances to the grounds of each school and school building, and within school vehicles.
Notice of this policy shall be given to students, all school staff, parents or families through dissemination of the student handbook every year and posted signage at each campus. The community shall be made aware of the policy by signage and handbooks as needed.
In addition to disciplinary action, those students who are found in violation of this policy shall be referred to the school’s health provider (Nurse, Health Center, or Social Worker) for a tobacco intervention. The school’s health provider shall have the option of referring the student to the Fax to Quit Louisiana Program, coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program, which refers the student to the Louisiana Quit-line, a free counseling service done over the phone for tobacco cessation.
School employees who violate the Smoke Free and Tobacco-Free School policy shall, in addition to disciplinary action, also be referred to the Louisiana Quit-Line (1-800-QuitNow) which is a free counseling service for tobacco cessation.
COMMUNICATION
At the beginning of each school year the Wellness Committee will share a summary of the School Wellness policy with all school principals. Updates to the policy may be highlighted and discussed. School principals will then communicate this information to school staff, faculty, students, and parents through various faculty and parent meetings, as well as through the student handbooks provided at each school. Any special events that the Wellness Policy Committee plans to achieve should be shared with everyone affected and the School Health Advisory Council.
Visitors and contractors shall also be informed of the Smoke Free and Tobacco-Free Schools policy through posted signs at the entrances to the grounds of each school and school buildings, and within school vehicles.
New policy: January 12, 2012
Ref: 20 USC 7183 (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:240, 40:1291.1, 40:1291.2, 40:1291.3, 40:1291.11, 40:1291.21, 40:1291.22
Board minutes, 1-12-12
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board