FILE:  GAMA

Cf:  EB

TOBACCO FREE SCHOOLS

Because tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death, disease, and disability, the St. Tammany Parish School Board shall provide a tobacco-free environment.

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 by students, employees or visitors, shall be prohibited on and in all St. Tammany Parish School Board property and vehicles, in school buses, in private vehicles used to transport students for school events, 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.

During the loading, unloading or transport of students, no cigarettes, cigars, matches, smoking paraphernalia or other tobacco products, whether chewing tobacco, snuff or otherwise, shall be displayed or placed in any position in the vehicle so that those products may be observed by any student during the transportation of students in the vehicle.

COMMUNICATION OF POLICY

Employees shall be informed of this policy through written notice, policy manuals, and orientation training.

COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may subject an employee to appropriate disciplinary action as included in the Agreement Between the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the St. Tammany Parish School Board and the employee may be referred to a tobacco-cessation counseling service.

Adopted:  January 11, 2018  

Ref:    20 USC 6083 (Non-Smoking 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

Board minutes, 1-11-18

St. Tammany Parish School Board