1331 - Smoke Free Environment

Community Relations

1331(a) - Smoke Free Environment

Students

In accordance with law and to promote the health and safety of all students and staff, the District prohibits all employees, students and patrons from smoking or using tobacco or tobacco products in all school facilities, buildings, and all school property, both inside and outside, and buses or other District transportation at all times, including athletic events and meetings. Tobacco includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, snuff, smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco, nicotine delivering devices or vapor products, chemicals or devices that produce the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances; and any other tobacco or nicotine innovations. This prohibition extends to all facilities the District owns/operates, contracts for or leases to provide educational services, routine health care, daycare or early childhood development services to children, as well as facilities in which services are not provided to children.

Definitions

Electronic cigarette liquid means a liquid that, when used in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, produces a vapor that may or may not include nicotine and is inhaled by the user of such electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product.

Electronic nicotine delivery system means an electronic device that may be used to simulate in the delivery of nicotine or other substance to a person inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid.

Liquid nicotine container means a container that holds a liquid substance containing nicotine that is sold, marketed or intended for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, except “liquid nicotine container” does not include such a container that is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer and not intended to be opened by the consumer.

Vapor product means any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may or may not include nicotine that is inhaled by the user of such product.

This prohibition does not apply to any private residence or any portion of a facility that is used for inpatient hospital treatment of individuals dependent on, or addicted to, drugs or alcohol in which the District provides services.

Community Relations

1331(b) - Smoke Free Environment (continued)

Staff and Public

In addition, the prohibition does not apply to a classroom where a demonstration of the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product is taking place as part of a medical or scientific experiment or lesson.

An ongoing program of student support and counseling will be offered to provide support for students who wish to break the smoking habit.

An ongoing program of staff support and counseling will be offered to provide support for staff who wishes to break the smoking habit.

A sign shall be posted on school premises indicating that smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited by state law.

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

19a-342 Smoking prohibited in certain places. Signs required. Penalties. (as amended by PA 19-13)

21a242 Schedules of controlled substances.

P.A. 14-76 An Act Concerning the Governor’s Recommendations Regarding Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Youth Smoking Prevention.

PL 107-110, Section 4303, “Non-smoking Policy for Children’s Services”

20 U.S.C. 7181-7184 The Pro Children Act of 2001

Policy Adopted: November 2019