The Board of Education is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors with tobacco-free environment. The negative health effects of tobacco use for both the users and nonusers, particularly in connection with second hand smoke, are well established. Further, providing tobacco-free environment is consistent with the role-modeling responsibilities of teachers and staff to our students.

For purposes of this policy, "use of tobacco" shall mean all uses of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or any other matter or substances that contain tobacco, in addition to papers used to roll cigarettes.

In order to protect students and staff who choose not to use tobacco from an environment noxious to them, the Board prohibits the possession, consumption, purchase or attempt to purchase and/or use of tobacco products by students on Board premises, in Board-owned or operated vehicles, within any facility owned or leased or contracted for by the Board and at all Board-sponsored events. Smoking clove cigarettes or other substances is also prohibited.

Individuals supervising students are prohibited from distributing or using any tobacco product while in the presence of students or at any time while engaged in any activities directly involving students.

The Board shall enforce the consequences and/or interventions that are consistent with the levels specified in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 4373, or local Board policy, to address violations. The specific procedures to be followed when any staff member observes any violations outlines in this tobacco control policy shall be outlined in county/school policies and procedures.

The Board shall maintain a list of providers to make referral to voluntary support programs (such as local mental health provider or tobacco cessation program or hotline programs) that address the physical, psychological and social issues associated with addiction; provide on-going support and reinforcement necessary for desired behavior change; and provide information about available programs to all 4th through 12th grade students and staff on a regular basis.

This policy shall be provided to students, school staff, parents or families, visitors and the community-at-large through:

The County shall review its tobacco control policy at least every two (2) years and make appropriate modifications as necessary.

20 U.S.C. 6081 et seq., 20 U.S.C. 7182
W.V.B.E. Policy 2422.5
W.V.B.E. Policy 2520.5
W.V.B.E. Policy 4373