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.”