Policy: Tobacco Prohibition
Policy
It is the policy of the Hartford School District to prohibit the use
of tobacco on school grounds in accordance with state law. This ban extends to
any student, employee or visitor to the school, and applies at all times,
whether or not school is in session. Students are, furthermore, prohibited from
possessing tobacco products at all times while under the supervision of school
staff or at school sponsored activities. The Superintendent or his or her
designee shall develop procedures, rules and regulations that are in his or her
judgment necessary to implement this policy and, at a minimum, will include
provisions ensuring that tobacco products are confiscated when found in the
possession of students and that referrals to law enforcement agencies are made
when appropriate.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy and administrative rules and procedures developed
pursuant to this policy:
1. School grounds means any property and facilities owned or leased by the
school and used at any time for school related activities, including but not
limited to school buildings, school buses, areas adjacent to school buildings,
athletic fields and parking lots.[2]
2. School sponsored activity means activities including but not limited to
field trips, project graduation events, sporting events, work internships and
dances.
3. Tobacco product has the same meaning as set forth in 7 V.S.A. 1001(4), as
amended from time to time.[3]
Adopted: August 11, 2009
[1] 18 V.S.A. 1422 requires all employers to “establish….or negotiate…a written
smoking policy. For purposes of determining smoking policy for schools with
school boards, the employer shall be the school board.” 16 V.S.A. 140 requires
that school boards “…adopt policies prohibiting the possession and use of
tobacco products by students at all times while under the supervision of school
staff. These policies shall include confiscation and appropriate referrals to
law enforcement authorities.”
[2] The definitions of “school grounds” and “school sponsored activity” used in
this policy are the same as those found in the Department of Education model
policy on Possession and Use of Tobacco Products.
[3] The term “tobacco product” is defined in 7 V.S.A. 1001(4) as “cigarettes,
cigars, cheroots, stogies, periques, granulated, plug cut crimp cut, ready
rubbed, and other smoking tobacco, snuff, snuff flour, Cavendish, plug and twist
tobacco, fine-cut and other chewing tobaccos, shorts, refuse scraps, clippings,
cuttings and sweepings of tobacco, and other forms of tobacco prepared in a
manner suitable for chewing or smoking in a pipe or otherwise, or both for
chewing and smoking.”