Communicate the Policy

Overview

While people and programs may change over time, a well-crafted policy provides lasting guidance for new leaders. Drafting the policy is only the beginning, its success depends on how effectively it is communicated and implemented.

It’s essential that students, staff, families, and the broader community understand what the policy requires, why it matters, and how a tobacco and nicotine-free environment supports a healthy school setting.

Read on for strategies to effectively communicate and reinforce your Tobacco-Free Schools policy, beginning with cross-cutting communication strategies and moving onto specific audiences.

Communicate the "Why" Behind the Policy

Why should schools and school events be tobacco and nicotine-free?
It’s about promoting health, safety, and positive norms for everyone in the school community.

The primary goal of a Tobacco Free Schools Policy is to support the health and well-being of students, staff, families, and the broader community. These policies help create safe, clean learning environments and reinforce healthy decision-making that can prevent nicotine addiction and reduce the risk of tobacco-related illness.
Tobacco Free Schools Policies play a powerful role in shaping social norms. When schools consistently communicate, model, and enforce no-use expectations, they help send a clear, unified message: tobacco and nicotine use have no place in settings dedicated to learning and growth.
These policies are not about judging adult tobacco users or questioning the legality of adult tobacco use. Rather, they are about ensuring that school grounds and events remain spaces where healthy behaviors are promoted and where students are not exposed to messaging or behaviors that normalize tobacco use.

Communicating Tobacco-Free Schools Policy

1. Prominent Signage

On-Campus Visibility: Post clear, easy-to-read signage across school campuses—entrances, athletic fields, parking lots, and high-traffic areas—to communicate that the school is tobacco-free. Utilize the Signage Checklist (page 11) for guidance.
- Free Signage Downloads: Visit cohealthresources.org to access and download signage.
- Printing Assistance: For help with printing costs, local public health agencies can contact their Tobacco Prevention Project Officer. School staff should reach out to their local public health contact.
Positive Messaging: Complement “No Tobacco” signage with signs promoting healthy alternatives and resources like My Life My Quit and IMATTER Colorado.

2. Digital Communication

Website Presence: Ensure the tobacco-free policy is prominently posted on school and district websites, including on frequently visited pages like the athletics schedule. Additionally, utilize social media platforms frequented by students and staff for follow-up prevention and intervention messaging.
- Link to Resources: Provide direct links to prevention education tools, cessation programs, and mental health supports online.

3. Event-Based Communication

Verbal Announcements: Reinforce the policy at all school-sponsored events—athletics, assemblies, concerts, and plays, through pre-event announcements.
Printed Bulletins: Include policy reminders in event programs and materials handed out at school gatherings.

4. Address Emerging Nicotine Trends

Up-to-Date Messaging: Don't stop talking about traditional forms of nicotine use, like cigarettes, but also be sure to explicitly include information on vaping devices, nicotine pouches, and other emerging products in all communication materials targeted to students, staff, and families.
Educational Integration: Embed educational messages in school presentations, newsletters, micro-lessons, and staff/parent training sessions.

5. Disposal Communication

Visible Disposal Messaging: Where vape and nicotine product collection occurs (e.g., nurse’s or dean’s office), display clear guidance on the safe handling and disposal of these products.
Modeling Safe Practices: Communicate the toxicity of nicotine products and reinforce that proper disposal is part of a broader health and safety commitment.

6. Policy in Contracts and Agreements

Vendor Contracts: Include a tobacco-free clause in all vendor agreements to ensure alignment with school policies.
Facility Use Agreements: Require all external groups using school property to comply with the tobacco-free policy, clearly outlined in usage agreements.

Communicating the Tobacco-Free Policy with Students

1. Embed the Policy in Student Onboarding

Student Handbooks & Orientation Materials: Include the full tobacco-free policy and a list of support resources in all handbooks and orientation packets.
Verbal Policy Review: Dedicate time during student orientation sessions, especially for new and transfer students, to clearly explain the policy and available cessation and mental health supports.

2. Leverage Peer Influence

Encourage peer-led education: Involve students in co-creating announcements, posters, or short videos that reflect the policy in their own words.

3. Make the Policy Part of Daily School Life

Morning Announcements & Micro-Lessons: Integrate short, engaging messages about the policy and prevention tips into regular school announcements or homeroom/advisory period discussions.
Student Clubs & School Events: Share policy reminders and resource information through student-led clubs and at events like dances, assemblies, or sporting events.

4. Support Student-Driven Campaigns

Promote National Awareness Days: Encourage students to lead creative campaigns during events like the Great American Smokeout by designing posters, banners, and social media content promoting a tobacco-free school.

5. Ensure Easy Access to Support

Resource Visibility: Post clear information on cessation programs (e.g., My Life My Quit), mental health supports (IMATTER Colorado), and other relevant resources in high-traffic student areas such as nurse’s offices, counseling centers, deans’ offices, bathrooms, and hallways.

6. Cultivate Student Leadership

Advocacy Groups: Support existing student groups or launch new ones to lead efforts in promoting and sustaining a tobacco-free culture at school (visit Engage Youth & Families page)

Communicating the Tobacco-Free Policy with Parents and Guardians

1. Set the Tone Early in the School Year

Welcome Communication: Send a beginning-of-year letter or email that:
- Clearly outlines the tobacco-free policy.
- Explains the health, academic, and behavioral reasons behind it.
- Details the consequences for violations.
- Requests family support in reinforcing the policy at home.
- Includes conversation starters and tips for discussing vaping and nicotine use with teens.

2. Integrate Policy into Key Documents

Student-School Contracts: Embed the tobacco-free policy into all relevant student agreements—particularly for sports, clubs, and extracurricular participation—and require parent/guardian acknowledgment and signature.

3. Use Existing Parent Engagement Opportunities

Parent Meetings: Present and discuss the tobacco-free policy at PTA/PTO meetings and other parent gatherings to ensure alignment and open dialogue.
Leverage National Events: Use awareness events like the Great American Smokeout to:
- Share policy reminders.
- Provide family-oriented communication resources via newsletters, emails, and school websites.
- Encourage parents to initiate health-focused conversations at home.

4. Include Parents in Follow-Up and Support

Post-Infraction Engagement: If a student violates the tobacco policy, actively involve parents or guardians in the restorative process and connect them with resources for supporting their child.

Communicating the Tobacco-Free Policy with Employees

1. Set Expectations from the Start

Job Applications & Interviews: Clearly state the district’s tobacco-free policy on all job postings and discuss it with candidates during interviews.
New Staff Orientation: Review the tobacco-free policy and support resources, like Colorado Quitline, during onboarding for all new hires.

2. Provide Ongoing Education and Reinforcement

In-Service Trainings: Deliver regular trainings on tobacco-free policies and related health topics to all employee groups—teachers, aides, bus drivers, food service workers, maintenance staff, and coaches.
- Host an annual Start the Conversation Training.
Staff Meetings: Reinforce policy details and staff roles in supporting a healthy environment at routine meetings across departments.

3. Use Multiple Communication Channels

Staff Newsletters: Include policy reminders, updates, and available resources in regular staff communications.
Internal Platforms: Post information on the staff intranet, highlight it in worksite wellness committee updates, and address it during insurance and benefits meetings.
Staff Lounges & Offices: Display printed copies of the policy and related resources in visible areas such as staff lounges.

4. Empower Internal Champions

Peer Advocacy: Engage respected staff members as champions to share reminders, model policy adherence, and foster a supportive, tobacco-free culture.

5. Reinforce the Role Model Message

Modeling Healthy Behavior: Remind all staff that their actions matter, students look to them as role models. Upholding a tobacco-free environment reinforces positive, healthy choices for youth.

Sample Announcement Language at Events

For the health and safety of our students, _____________(name of school/district), is proud to be tobacco and nicotine-free. At this time, we would like to remind our home fans and visitors that the use of any tobacco or nicotine products by students or adults during tonight’s game is prohibited. We appreciate your support and would like to thank you for keeping our school and stadium healthy and safe. Enjoy the game!
Thank you for attending tonight’s performance. We would like to remind our audience that (name of school/district) __________________ is tobacco and nicotine-free. Tobacco or nicotine use of any kind is prohibited in and around the theater. Thank you for your cooperation.
To promote the health and safety of our students and community, we ask that you please not use tobacco or nicotine of any kind while on school grounds. Thank you for your cooperation.

Resources=

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Resources for Tobacco-Free and Vaping-Free Schools and Communities
The Alliance's Action Center provides no-cost access to resources that include our Tobacco Free District Model Policy, Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment, and Tobacco-Free District Policy Builder. View these and other tools to help build a team, create an action plan to track progress, download data reports, and much more.

PDF Document with Guidance for Colorado Schools About Storage and Disposal of Nicotine Waste
This resource helps schools with storage or disposal of tobacco and/or nicotine products that are collected on school grounds.

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