The National School Boards Association (NSBA) supports The Smoke-Free Schools Act of 2019, introduced today by U. S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah). The legislation would help school districts and local education agencies address the surge of e-cigarettes in schools. 

The legislation would ban e-cigarette use in educational and childcare facilities and lays outs findings to support the conclusion that e-cigarette use in schools and among youth has reached the level of a public health epidemic. 

“The National School Boards Association appreciates the leadership of Senators Udall and Romney to support safe and healthy learning environments for our nation’s 50 million public school students,” said Thomas J. Gentzel, Executive Director and CEO of NSBA. “The Smoke-Free Schools Act of 2019 will provide school districts with greater flexibility in addressing a key component of the Every Student Succeeds Act — to foster healthy, supportive, and drug-free environments conducive to academic achievement."

NSBA was joined by other groups dedicated to securing healthy learning environments for America’s public school students, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Parent Teacher Association, The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, The School Superintendents Association and The National Association of Elementary School Principals.

To learn more, read the press release from Senator Udall’s office.