Pupil Smoking

The Board of Education recognizes the use of tobacco presents a health hazard that can have serious implications both for the smoker and the nonsmoker and that smoking habits developed by the young may have lifelong deleterious consequences.

For purposes of this policy, "smoking" means the burning of, inhaling the smoke from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked and the use of smokeless tobacco and snuff.

For the purposes of this policy, “school grounds” means and includes land, portions of land, structures, buildings, and vehicles owned, operated, or used for the provision of academic or extracurricular programs sponsored by the district or community provider and structures that support these buildings, including, but not limited to administrative buildings, kitchens, maintenance shops, and garages. “School grounds” also includes other facilities as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:26-1.2, playgrounds, and other recreational places owned by the local municipalities, private entities, or other individuals during those times when the school district has exclusive use of a portion of such land.

The Board prohibits smoking by pupils at any time on any school grounds as defined above, at events sponsored by the Board away from school, and on any transportation vehicle supplied by the Board.

A sign indicating smoking is prohibited on school grounds as defined above will be posted at each public entrance in accordance with law. The sign shall also indicate violators are subject to a fine. Pupils who violate the provisions of this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures and may be subject to fines in accordance with law.

In the event the pupil is found to have violated this policy and the law, the Principal or designee may file a complaint with the appropriate Municipal Court or other agency with jurisdiction as defined in N.J.A.C. 8:6-9.1(c)

A pupil found to have violated this policy and the law may be required to participate in additional educational programs to help the pupil understand the deleterious effects upon smokers and to discourage the use of tobacco products. These programs may include, but are not limited to, counseling, smoking information programs, and/or smoking cessation programs sponsored by this school district or available through approved outside agencies.

The Board directs that the health curriculum include instruction in the potential hazards of the use of tobacco. All school staff members shall, by example and persuasion, make every reasonable effort to discourage pupils from developing the habit of smoking.

The Board of Education will comply with any provisions of a municipal ordinance which provides restrictions on or prohibitions against smoking equivalent to, or greater than, those provided in N.J.S.A. 26:3D-55 through N.J.S.A. 26:3D-63.

N.J.S.A. 18A:40A -1
N.J.S.A. 26:3D through 26:3D
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3

Policy Guides Nos. 5250, 7434