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Overview
Overview
A written policy is only effective when it is clearly communicated, consistently enforced, and grounded in supportive practices. Schools and districts should determine the most appropriate ways to enforce their tobacco free policies within the context of their unique communities, while ensuring that students and staff have access to quitting resources and other supports.
Equity and support should be at the core of all disciplinary guidance, regulations, and procedures. The primary purpose of a Tobacco-Free Schools Policy is to promote the health and well-being of the entire school community, not to punish, but to encourage healthy choices and provide meaningful support.
Continue reading for guidance on applying supportive, restorative approaches to addressing tobacco, vaping, and nicotine infractions.
Key Considerations Regarding Discipline and Support
Key Considerations Regarding Discipline and Support
Enforcement of the tobacco and nicotine policies and procedures is usually assigned to school leadership, typically the dean of students or assistant principal in each school.
Consequences must be equitable and consistently enforced in a timely manner.
Implementing a restorative approach can reduce serious disparities and inequities between demographic groups and increase health equity.
Consequences should be aimed at exploring and addressing the underlying reasons a student might be using tobacco and provide adequate support so that students can cut back or quit.
Engagement of the student and family should clearly explain the rationale for the consequences and offer resources to help including quit services for youth who are ready to quit using tobacco or nicotine products.
Building Fair and Supportive Discipline Systems
Building Fair and Supportive Discipline Systems
Equity and equality are not the same. Equality gives all students the same support, while equity recognizes students’ diverse needs and provides the resources they require to succeed.
Focusing on equity means ensuring school structures are inclusive and supportive of all students, taking into account factors like race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic location, and lived experiences. It also means addressing and reducing disparities in discipline outcomes.
Exclusionary practices like suspension and expulsion increase the risk of academic failure, absenteeism, and future justice system involvement, particularly for students of color and students with disabilities, who are disproportionately impacted.
Punitive discipline does little to deter future misbehavior and often worsens outcomes.
Supportive, restorative approaches build social connectedness, foster emotional well-being, and create school environments where all students are encouraged to thrive.
Utilize Supportive and Restorative Discipline Approaches
Utilize Supportive and Restorative Discipline Approaches
When addressing tobacco and nicotine infractions, a supportive and restorative approach is more effective than punishment and better for student health and success. Using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework can help schools structure their discipline strategies to meet the needs of all students.
Tier I – Universal Supports (All Students). Start with prevention for all students. This includes:
Strong Tobacco-Free Schools (TFS) policy
Clear communication of expectations
Prevention education intentionally embedded throughout K–12 learning
A positive and supportive school climate
Tier II – Targeted Interventions (Some Students). Provide targeted support for students who have violated tobacco policies:
Educational alternatives to suspension, such as the Second Chance program
Access to quit resources and mental health supports
Restorative practices that focus on reflection, responsibility, and growth
Tier III – Intensive Interventions (Few Students). For students with recurring infractions or additional risk factors, schools should provide:
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Ongoing connection to cessation programs (e.g., Not On Tobacco)
Continued mental health and behavioral health support
Tools to Support Implementation: These resources support consistent, equitable, and health-focused discipline, helping schools uphold their policies while meeting students where they are.
Communicate the basic pillars of restorative discipline and non-punitive measures using the Restorative Discipline handout.
Tiered Discipline response matrix and Restorative Meeting Guidance
Prevention Education curriculum and Alternative to Suspension programs
Second Chance program information: Second Chance is free to all Colorado schools and youth-serving organizations. It is a web-based, self-paced tobacco/nicotine education program for middle and high school youth who have a tobacco policy infraction.
SBIRT tools: S2BI or CRAFT 2.1+N (available in multiple languages)
Resources
Resources
*SBIRT PROCESS: SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL TO TREATMENT PROCESS FOR NICOTINE USE
Guidance from the HB23-1009 Report
Improving Student Outcomes through Restorative Practices
Vape Detectors- Why are Vape Detectors Not Recommended for Use in Schools?
Vape detectors are not supported by evidence or research to prevent or reduce youth nicotine or tobacco use.
Alternative to Suspension Resources from the Colorado Department of Education
Policy, Practices, Guidance, and Recommendations to Support Student Learning and Address the Unintended Consequences of School Discipline and Race/Ethnicity Disparities.
Discipline practices in schools affect the social quality of each educational environment, and the ability of children to achieve the academic and social gains essential for success.
Stop Suspending Students from School – It’s Counterproductive
Resource from Disability Rights North Carolina regarding alternative to suspension research.
Restorative Justice: Resources for Schools
A comprehensive list of resources on restorative practices, including examples of how they have successfully been implemented in school districts across the country as an alternative to a traditional punitive disciplinary approach.
An Alternative to Punitive Discipline That Really Holds Students Accountable
An explanation of restorative practices as a best practice tool for encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions.
What is Restorative Practices- link to video
A short video describing what restorative practices are, their origin, and why they can be impactful in schools.
Toolkit: The Foundations of Restorative Justice
A story about the “why” for a restorative approach in schools, the shift it can make in a school’s culture, and the impact it has on keeping students in the classroom.
Recommendations for Responding to Marijuana-Related Incidents
Alternative discipline strategies and recommendations from CDE, including the use of restorative practices, in response to a student with marijuana at school.
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