Tobacco or Vape Product Possession/Use

The Board of Education recognizes the use of tobacco presents a health hazard that can have serious implications both for the smoker and nonsmoker, and that smoking habits developed by young people may have lifelong harmful consequences. The use or possession of tobacco and vape products is prohibited by students at any time in school building or on school grounds, at school-sponsored events away from school, or on a school bus.

Definition

• "Tobacco", "vape", and/or "tobacco/vape product" shall mean cigarettes, tobacco products, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, of the inhaling of smoke or vapor from any electronic smoking device, and tobacco in any other form, whether or not lit or smoked, including smokeless tobacco which is loose, cut, shredded, ground, powdered, compresses, or leaf tobacco that is intended to be placed in the mouth or nose without being smoked.

Distribution

• Students who sell or share products with another student will be assigned Out of School Suspension and may forfeit participation in all school activities for 45 days.

Violations

A student shall be considered in violation of this policy when in possession of any tobacco product including but not limited to the following examples:

• Possessing a lit or unlit cigarette, e-cigarette, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device or any vaping product
• Throwing away any smoking device
• Exhaling smoke from the mouth or nose
• Placing any tobacco products in the mouth or nose
• Occupying or exiting a bathroom stall, vehicle, space, or area from which smoke or vapor is emanating
• Possessing any of these items items in backpacks, pockets, purses, lockers, or in the student's vehicle on campus

Consequences

• First offense: Parent/guardian notification, one Saturday detention, an immediate required drug screen, and counseling concerning the harmful effects of smoking and/or tobacco use. All devices will be turned over to law enforcement. Students may be entered into a program with the local police department. A complaint may be filed in the Municipal Court and the student will be subject to a fine for smoking on campus.
• Second offense: Mandatory parent/guardian conference, two Saturday detentions, an immediate required drug screen, and counseling concerning the harmful effects of smoking and/or tobacco use. All devices will be turned over to law enforcement. Students may be entered into a program with the local police department. A complaint will be filed in the Municipal Court and the student will be subject to a fine for smoking on campus.
• Third offense: Parent/guardian notification, one day Out of School Suspension, an immediate required drug screen, and counseling concerning the harmful effects of smoking and/or tobacco use. All devices will be turned over to law enforcement. Students may be entered into a program with the local police department. A complaint may be filed in the Municipal Court and the student may be subject to a fine for smoking on campus.
• Subsequent offenses: Administrative discretion