Community Relations
Smoke Free Environment
Students
In accordance with law and to promote the health and safety of all students and staff, the District prohibits all employees, students and patrons from smoking or using tobacco or tobacco products in all school facilities, buildings, and all school property, both inside and outside and buses or other District transportation at all times, including athletic events and meetings. Tobacco includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, snuff, smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco, nicotine delivering devices (e-cigarettes) or vapor products, chemicals or devices that produce the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances; and any other tobacco or nicotine innovations. This prohibition extends to all facilities the District owns/operates, contracts for or leases to provide educational services, routine health care, daycare or early childhood development services to children, as well as facilities in which services are not provided to children.
Definitions
Electronic nicotine delivery system means an electronic device used in the delivery of nicotine or other substance to a person inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device.
Liquid nicotine container means a container that holds a liquid substance containing nicotine that is sold, marketed or intended for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, except “liquid nicotine container” does not include such a container that is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer and not intended to be opened by the consumer.
Vapor product means any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may or may not include nicotine that is inhaled by the user of such product.
This prohibition does not apply to any private residence or any portion of a facility that is used for inpatient hospital treatment of individuals dependent on, or addicted to, drugs or alcohol in which the District provides services.
In addition, the prohibition does not apply to a classroom where a demonstration of the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product is taking place as part of a medical or scientific experiment or lesson.
Breaks by employees to smoke or use tobacco products are considered recreational activities. If an employee takes a break from work to smoke or use tobacco products or leaves school grounds at any time for any reason other than District business, including to smoke or use tobacco products, He/she will not be considered to be acting within the normal course and scope of employment.
An ongoing program of student support and counseling will be offered to provide support for students who wish to break the smoking habit.
Staff and Public
An ongoing program of staff support and counseling will be offered to provide support for staff who wish to break the smoking habit.
A sign shall be posted on school premises indicating that smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited by state law.
(cf. 1120 Board of Education Meetings)
(cf. 1330 Use of School Facilities)
(cf. 4118.231/4218.231 Employee Smoking, Drinking, and Use of Drugs on School Premises)
(cf. 5131.6 Drugs, Tobacco, and Alcohol)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-233a(h) Definitions, “School-sponsored activity”
19a-342 Smoking prohibited in certain places. Signs required. Penalties. (as amended by PA 19-13)
21a-242 Schedules of controlled substances.
P.A. 14-76 An Act Concerning the Governor’s Recommendations Regarding Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Youth Smoking Prevention
P.A. 15-206 An Act Regulating Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Vapor Products
P.L. 107-110, Section 4303, “Non-smoking Policy for Children’s Services”
20 U.S.C. 7181-7184 The Pro Children Act of 2001, PL 107-110, 115 State 1174
Policy adopted: