ABBA-AP: North Dakota's Comprehensive Model for a Tobacco-Free School
DEFINITIONS
District means West Fargo Public Schools.
District property includes all property, both indoor and outdoor, that is owned or leased by the district including, but not limited to, all buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields, parking lots and vehicles.
Tobacco Product includes any product that contains tobacco, is derived from tobacco or contains nicotine or other similar substances that is intended for human consumption, or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, inhaled, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested by any other means. The term “Tobacco Product” includes E-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, pipes and rolling papers, but does not include any product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for legal sale as a tobacco cessation product and is being marketed and sold solely for the approved purpose.
E-cigarette means any electronic oral device, such as one composed of a heating element, battery or electronic circuit, or both, which provides a vapor of nicotine or any other substance, and the use or inhalation of which simulates smoking. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, and e-pipe or under any other product name, or descriptor. “E-cigarette” also includes any component part of such a product whether or not sold separately. “E-cigarette” does not include any product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for legal sale as a tobacco cessation product and is being marketed and sold solely for the approved purpose.
Tobacco Use means the use of any Tobacco Product in any form. Tobacco Use includes, but is not limited to, smoking, heating, inhaling, chewing, absorbing, dissolving or ingesting any Tobacco Product.
Smoking means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe or hookah, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, in any manner or in any form. Smoking also includes the use of an e-cigarette.
RATIONALE FOR REGULATING POSSESSION & USE
The health hazards of tobacco use have been well established and studies have shown that nearly 90% of current smokers began smoking as teenagers.[i] This tobacco free policy is established to:
- Reduce the high incidence of tobacco use in North Dakota.
- Protect the health and safety of all students, employees, and the general public.
- Establish a standard of healthy, tobacco free behavior by adults and students.
Use of tobacco products is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in North Dakota. To support and model a healthy lifestyle for our students, staff and community, West Fargo Public Schools establishes the following tobacco-free policy.
USE & POSSESSION PROHIBITIONS
Students
Possession and/or use of tobacco products by students on district property and at school-sponsored events (whether on or off district property) is prohibited at all times.
Employees and Visitors
The use of tobacco products by school employees and visitors on district property and at school-sponsored events (whether on or off district property) is prohibited at all times.
This tobacco-free policy includes all events held on district property whether or not such events are sponsored by, or associated with, the district, and all events sponsored by the district or any school within the district regardless of where such events are held.
ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP
The district prohibits all advertising of tobacco products, whether formal or informal, on district property, at school functions, and in all school publications. This includes all signs, clothing or other gear that contain a logo of, advertisement for, or reference to, any tobacco product.
The district will not accept any form of contribution including, but not limited to, financial support, gifts (such as curriculum, book covers, speakers, etc.) or in-kind support from the tobacco industry for the sponsorship or promotion of any event or activity affiliated in any manner with the district or located on district property.
COMMUNICATING THE POLICY TO STUDENTS, STAFF, & PUBLIC
This policy will be printed in the employee and the student handbooks. The district shall post signs indicating that the property is tobacco-free in all locations and in the manner identified in NDCC 23-12-10.4.1(a) and (b). In addition, notices should be posted in other highly visible places on district property including, but not limited to, school playgrounds, athletic fields, parking lots and at all school-sponsored events ([whether or not such events occur] on district property). Parents will be sent notification of this policy in writing, and the local media will be asked to communicate this tobacco-free policy communitywide.
ENFORCEMENT
All individuals on the district’s premises share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy. The district superintendent shall develop regulations for the enforcement and implementation of this policy. Violations should be reported to district/school staff.
TOBACCO CESSATION SERVICES
Individuals requesting assistance with tobacco cessation services will be referred to NDQuits, the North Dakota Department of Health multi-media tobacco cessation program. This is a free cessation service provided to citizens of North Dakota.
[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US). A Report of the Surgeon General: Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults
Adopted: 03/23/87
Reviewed:
Revised: 04/11/87, 04/24/95
05/10/10, 08/09/16