Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions for a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Policy
Q. What if someone does not want to quit?
A. The policy is not meant to “make” anyone quit. The goal of the policy is to make a clear and consistent statement that tobacco use of any kind is hazardous, unhealthy behavior that is inappropriate at any facility intended to foster the growth and education of our most precious resource, our children.
Q. Our janitor has been with our school over 20 years. You’d hardly know it but he uses tobacco, and is very discreet. Is there any harm with letting him continue?
A. Yes, it would be a problem to let him, or any adult, continue using tobacco on school property. The idea that tobacco use is a socially acceptable behavior is easily conveyed to children who witness adults using it without consequence. It would make a mockery of the law, and would send a very mixed message to students and the public about your school administration’s seriousness regarding policy implementation. Insist everyone quit using tobacco while on school property. Provide them with cessation services.
Q. Some of our school board members smoke. During monthly meetings held at the school, they are very good about stepping outside before they light up. Now they will have to walk along ways to get off school property. We have a hard time getting people to run for the school board. How do we enforce this law without offending them?
A. Like other members of the community, school board members need to be educated about the policy. They need to understand that it is a state law, not just a local recommendation, that all school property is tobacco free, 24 hours a day, every day, without exception. They need to know why the legislation is important for the health and safety of their students. School board members are high profile citizens and role models; therefore, they need to know their community depends on them to lead by example and comply with the law. They can also be encouraged to take advantage of cessation services.
Q. Our track and football field is four blocks from the school and is not fenced. Besides being used for school athletic events, adults and kids alike, play, jog, ride their bikes, and walk their dogs there day and night. Does the tobacco-free law apply here? How could it be enforced under these open circumstances?
A. Yes, the tobacco-free law does apply to the football field, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Good signage will be the first step for obtaining compliance. Consider involving local community groups, tobacco use prevention coalitions, youth groups and the local police with monitoring the field. Be consistent with enforcement. If compliance becomes an issue, consider installing a perimeter fence to restrict access.
Q. Our school does not have an issue with tobacco use, why would we need to adopt another policy?
A. After completing an observation checklist and having staff complete an initial survey an issue may become apparent. Adopting a comprehensive policy will convey the unacceptability of tobacco use in a social environment. A policy along with enforcement and education will continue to reduce the serious problem of smoking and other tobacco use by kids.
Q. We are mostly tobacco-free, so what will be gained by going 100% tobacco-free?
A. Exposure to secondhand smoke, even a little, is dangerous. It is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). As little as 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can affect the coronary arteries of healthy, young nonsmokers. It causes acute and chronic respiratory disease and causes or exacerbates asthma, ear infections and upper respiratory infections – primary causes of school absence.
Asthma is a major cause of school absenteeism. Reducing secondhand smoke as an asthma trigger will result in reduced absenteeism.
Positive adult role modeling for students is critical to send a message to our youth that is consistent with the tobacco use prevention curriculum taught in the classroom.
A 100% tobacco-free school policy will help establish a tobacco-free norm.
A tobacco-free policy prepares students for the realities of an increasingly tobacco-free world – one where tobacco use is prohibited at worksites, in restaurants, on airplanes, in malls and other places.
Q. What are the benefits of offering cessation programs for staff?
A. Experience shows that employees from school districts adopting a 100% tobacco-free school policy often use this as an opportunity to cut down their tobacco use or quit. This can lead to decreased absences due to tobacco-related illnesses, decreases tobacco related health care costs, and increases productivity. We strongly encourage school districts to talk with these employees about the kinds of support they may need to be successful in quitting, and to consider offering these services and resources. Resources and support to assist employees in quitting should be provided early in the policy development process so that staff is prepared when the campus becomes tobacco-free.
Helping tobacco users on staff who want to quit has many health benefits and potential medical cost savings for employees and the school as an employer. It will also make enforcement easier – as most violators of the 100% tobacco-free policy will be people who are addicted to tobacco.
Q. Will we risk losing our adult supporters at athletic events?
A. It is highly unlikely that you will lose adult supporters at athletic events. Administrators in school districts that have adopted a 100% tobacco-free policy have noted that the vast majority of adults have willingly complied with the tobacco-free school policy during athletic events. They understand and appreciate that school policies, such ones prohibiting tobacco use and alcohol use on campus, are designed to protect the safety of youth and offer a positive environment for students and families. Furthermore, the expectation that an event or a facility is tobacco-free has become more common in many social situations as we have become more aware of the health risks of secondhand smoke. As malls, movie theaters, restaurants and air travel have become smoke-free; we have not seen a drop off in patronage. The school policy does not require people to quit using tobacco; it simply asks them to refrain from tobacco use on school property and at school sponsored events.
Q. How do we handle the maintenance staff, construction crews and contractors that come on campus and use tobacco?
A. Much like you would handle enforcement of other policies related to use of certain substances on campus (e.g. alcohol) or certain behavior expectations (e.g. non-violence, no firearms). Clearly communicating the policy to firms and companies that contract with the school is key. Inform potential contractors of the policy in all interviews, and include a no-tobacco-use clause in all contracts. Include a written statement in the contract that firms or organizations will be charged a cleaning fee if they do not ensure that staff and visitors comply with the policy, In addition, make sure that there is signage on campus communicating the policy.
Q. If we develop a 100% policy, how will we enforce it?
A. Experience has shown that early and frequent communication, such as signage, letters home, information in event programs, and announcements during outdoor athletic events, is the key to successfully enforcing the policy. For ideas on how to effectively communicate the policy, see your School Outreach Tobacco Specialist.
We encourage school districts to develop enforcement procedures for the tobacco use policy just as they would for any other policy. A detailed, comprehensive enforcement plan will allow for easier acceptance of the policy and few violations. A comprehensive enforcement plan for students, staff and visitors will include the following:
- Consequences for violating the policy;
- Details on how the policy will be enforced )for example: teachers will monitor areas where students gather; school resource officers will patrol stands at athletic events);
- The people who will have responsibility for enforcement;
- A process for handling complaints and other issues.
School districts that have implemented a tobacco-free school policy offer the following suggestions to enhance enforcement:
Be positive. Emphasize that being tobacco-free is in the best educational, health and economic interests of all.
Clearly communicate the policy using a variety of methods.
Develop a comprehensive enforcement plan and commit to enforcing the new policy consistently. This will send a strong message about the importance of the policy by those who are enforcing it. Expect some people to “test” whether the policy will be consistently enforced.
Select an implementation date with significance, such as the start of the new school year.
Allow sufficient time for people to prepare for implementation. Make sure that tobacco users have time to reduce or quit using tobacco.
Provide everyone with an opportunity to get involved in implementation and enforcement, including tobacco users, students, volunteers, maintenance workers and others.
Ask all staff to assist in communicating and ensuring uniform enforcement of the policy. Organize special sessions to train and educate those who will be taking the lead on enforcement.
Q. I want to talk to leaders in other districts that have this policy to learn more. Who should I call?
A. Please contact your School Outreach Tobacco Specialist for a list. We also encourage you to attend any of the trainings provided for all schools, it is a great opportunity for networking and learning the do’s and don’ts.
Q. Don’t teachers have the right to smoke?
A. More importantly, youth and non-smoking school staff have the right to breathe smoke-free air. Remember that most adults (approximately 75%) and the majority of young people do not use tobacco products.
