No Smoking Policy

See Dresden School Board Policy JICG

The School Board acknowledges and will implement New Hampshire law prohibiting smoking at any time in public educational facilities, including administrative areas, lounge areas, passageways, restrooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, maintenance rooms, and storage areas.

There will be no smoking on school grounds during school hours; smoking on school grounds when school is not in session shall be governed by administrative regulation. (Reference: Indoor Smoking Act RSA 155, as amended) Adopted: 19 December 1990.

Regulation

For purposes of implementing this policy, areas adjacent to the Dresden Complex, which includes the high school, adjacent grounds, sidewalk areas on both sides of Lebanon Street during school hours, and areas within general view of the school buildings during school hours, are considered unauthorized for student smoking.

Any high school student smoking during school hours in the above-mentioned areas in the first instance, upon referral to the Dean of Students, will have his/her unscheduled time restricted for a period of one week. Parents will be notified of the event and the fact that a subsequent, similar offense will result in recommendation for suspension from school.

If a student is observed smoking at a school activity after school hours, the student will be restricted from participation in or attendance at school activities for a period of time to be determined by the Dean of Students.

Adults observed smoking on school district property would be asked by the person in charge to conform to the policy of the school district.

The Administration and staff of the Dresden School District shall institute a program to acquaint students in a regular manner to the hazards of smoking tobacco.

Tobacco/Non-Tobacco Chewing Products & Snuff

The use of tobacco/non-tobacco chewing products and tobacco/non-tobacco snuffs on school grounds (and during sports seasons for athletes) is prohibited. Aside from the possible health hazards they present, use of these products is prohibited for sanitary reasons. Students found in possession of such products will forfeit the unused portions. If a student expectorates such product inside or outside the school, the student will be expected to clean up. Students who persist in using these products after a first instance may have their unscheduled time restricted.

N.H. RSA 78:1 Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products to Persons Under 18 Years of Age Prohibited as amended June 20, 1991:

Operative Language: No person shall sell tobacco products or distribute promotional samples of any tobacco product to a person under 18 years of age. No person under 18 years of age shall purchase, use or possess tobacco products.

The school’s position is to uphold the law. When found, tobacco products will be confiscated from persons under 18 years of age. Chronic offenders may be referred to the Hanover Police Department.

A revision of N.H. Law (RSA 78:12-c) passed in 1995 states that any person under the age of 18 who possesses or uses tobacco products may be found “guilty of a violation and subject to a $100 fine and/or 20 hours of community service.” Students are alerted that the Hanover Police Department has stated that it can enforce this rule much more easily than the old one that required a rather lengthy juvenile hearing process.

NH RSA 78:1 Chapter 126-I:7 (effective January1,1998) prohibits the use of any tobacco product in any public educational facility or on the grounds of any public educational facility.