NSBA Delegate Assembly Adopts Policy on Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Schools

The NSBA Delegate Assembly, the governing body of the National School Boards Association, approved a new tobacco-free schools policy at its annual meeting on March 28, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. The adoption of the new policy underscores the opportunities schools have to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco products, which we know are addictive and deadly, but widely marketed to youth. 

In the new policy, NSBA urges local school boards to enact and enforce comprehensive tobacco-free school policies.  The text of the revised belief statement follows:

2.8 Comprehensive Tobacco-Free School Policies

NSBA urges local school boards to enact and enforce Comprehensive Tobacco-Free School Policies that include:

(a) prohibition of tobacco use by students, school staff, parents, and visitors on school property, in school vehicles, and at school-sponsored functions;

(b) prohibition of tobacco advertising or promotional products on school property, in school vehicles, in school publications, and at school-sponsored functions;

(c) provisions for informing students, school staff, families, visitors, and the community about the policy;

(d) tobacco use prevention education for students;

(e) provision of information about or referrals to tobacco cessation programs for students and school staff; and,

(f) subject to any state laws to the contrary, a stipulation that it shall not be a violation of this policy for an American Indian adult to utilize tobacco on school district property as a part of a traditional Indian cultural ceremony.

For more information or technical assistance developing tobacco-free school policies, contact schoolhealth@nsba.org