2308         

2308

3008

TOBACCO-FREE ENVIRONMENT

3008

4008             

4008

The Board of Education believes employees and students of the Wake County Public School System have a right to work and study in a tobacco-free environment. The Board recognizes that the use of tobacco products is a health, safety, and environmental hazard for students, employees, visitors, and school facilities.  In addition, the Board recognizes that it has an obligation to promote a healthy learning and working environment, free from unwanted smoke, for the students, employees, and visitors of the school system.

2308.1

3008.1

4008.1

The use or display of any tobacco product by any person in school buildings, school facilities or school vehicles; on school campuses; and in or on any other school property owned, operated or contracted for by the school system is prohibited except as provided in this policy.  This prohibition also applies to the use or display of tobacco products by any person at any other location during a school sponsored event when in the presence of students or school personnel.

2308.2

3008.2

4008.2

The exceptions to this policy are as follows:

A.    The display of tobacco products does not extend to display that has a legitimate instructional or pedagogical purpose and is approved by a teacher or school administrator, and

B.    A principal may permit tobacco products to be included in instructional or research activities in the school building if the activity is conducted or supervised by the faculty member overseeing the instruction or research and the activity does not involve smoking, chewing, or otherwise ingesting the tobacco product.

2308.3

3008.3

4008.3

School personnel, students and parents will be provided notice of this policy through personnel or student handbooks, or in any other manner deemed appropriate by the principal or supervisor.  In addition, principals or other persons in charge of a facility will ensure that signs are posted in a manner and locations that adequately notify staff, students, parents and the public of this policy.

2308.4

3008.4

4008.4

Principals and supervisors are responsible for enforcing and ensuring that school personnel comply with this policy.  An employee’s failure to comply with this policy, whether by enforcement or otherwise, shall be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

2308.5

3008.5

4008.5

For the purposes of this policy "display" is defined as having any tobacco product in a location or position that is visible to students or school personnel.  “Tobacco product” is defined to include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and any other items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco or tobacco products. “Tobacco use” includes smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products.

Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-36; G.S. 115C-47; G.S. 143-595 through –601;  20 USC §§ 7181-7184; G.S. 115C-391; G.S. 115C-407,  and Craig O. v. Buncombe County Board of Education 80 NC App. 683

 Adopted: March 19, 1990

 Revised: September 21, 1992

 Revised: November 16, 1992

 Revised: August 17, 1998

 Revised: May 30, 2001

 Revised: June 3, 2003 (cross reference Policy 6410.10)

 Revised: September 18, 2007 (cross reference Policy 6410.10)