3215 - USE OF TOBACCO BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF
The Board of Education is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors with a tobacco and smoke-free environment. The negative health effects of tobacco use for both users and nonusers, particularly in connection with second-hand smoke, are well established. Further, providing non-smoking and a tobacco-free environment is consistent with the responsibilities of teachers and staff to be positive role models for students.
For purposes of this policy, "use of tobacco" means to chew or maintain any substance containing tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, in the mouth to derive the effects of tobacco, as well as all uses of tobacco, or tobacco substitutes, including cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, any other matter or substances that contain tobacco, in addition to papers used to roll cigarettes and/or smoking of electronic, "vapor," or other substitute forms of cigarettes, clove cigarettes and any other lighted smoking devices for burning tobacco or any other substances.
The term “tobacco” includes any product that contains tobacco, is derived from tobacco, contains nicotine, or e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices (including but not limited to "JUUL"s), but does not include any cessation product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a medical treatment to reduce or eliminate nicotine or tobacco dependence.
In order to protect students and staff who choose not to smoke or use tobacco from an environment noxious to them, and because the Board does not condone smoking or the use of tobacco, the Board prohibits the use of tobacco or tobacco substitute products by professional staff members at all times (twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week) within any enclosed facility owned or leased or contracted for by the Board, and in areas directly or indirectly under the control of the Board immediately adjacent to locations of ingress or egress to such facilities. This prohibition extends to any Board-owned and/or operated vehicles used to transport students and to all other Board-owned and/or operated vehicles. Such prohibition also applies to school grounds, athletic facilities, and any school-related event, on or off Board premises.
The Superintendent shall require the posting of signs as required by R.C. 3794.06 and as specified by the Ohio Department of Health.
Advertising/Promotion
In accordance with Policy 9700.01, tobacco advertising is prohibited on school grounds, in all school-sponsored publications, and at all school-sponsored events.
Tobacco promotional items that promote the use of tobacco products, including clothing, bags, lighters, and other personal articles are not permitted on school grounds, in school vehicles, or at school-sponsored events.
Employees who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or in accordance with the policies of the Board.
Revised 3/15/05
Revised 7/31/08
Revised 6/16/11
© Neola 2019