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).
The use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all School Board property and vehicles, and at all school-sponsored or school-approved functions. However, this prohibition shall not be applicable to any tobacco product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and which is marketed and sold solely for such purpose.
School Board property shall include any elementary or secondary school buildings or grounds, buildings, portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any other property owned, operated, or leased by the School Board.
This prohibition on smoking, tobacco, and smoking object/devices shall also apply to all visitors and contractors that enter on School Board property.
Smoking and tobacco advertising shall be prohibited on all School Board property.
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.
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
Revised: February 22, 2018
Ref: 20 USC 6083 (Nonsmoking Policy for Children's Services)
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, 2-22-18
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board