Tobacco Use and Possession Administrative Procedures

ADC- R - Maine School Administrative District No. 31

TOBACCO USE AND POSSESSION

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

The purpose of the following administrative procedure is to effectuate the mandates imposed by the various federal and state laws in addition to the Board's "Tobacco Use and Possession" policy.

I. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

A. Students

The use, possession, sale, dispensing, or distribution of tobacco products by all students is prohibited in school building and facilities, during school-sponsored events, on school grounds and uses, and at all other times.

B. Employees and All Other Persons

The use of tobacco products by employees and all other persons is prohibited in school buildings, facilities, and on school buses during school-sponsored events and at all other times on school grounds. In addition, employees and all other persons are strictly prohibited, under law and this Board's policy/administrative procedure, from selling, dispensing, or distributing tobacco products to students.

II. ENFORCEMENT

In order to enforce the tobacco products policy, the following guidelines shall be utilized by the Principal of a school in which prohibited conduct occurs. The Principal shall report any violations of this policy/procedure, as promptly as practicable, to the Superintendent.

A. Student Violation

The Superintendent shall develop age-appropriate disciplinary guidelines for students violating this policy/administrative procedure, which shall be attached to this administrative procedure.

B. Student Referral to Law Enforcement Agency

The Superintendent or his/her designee reserves the right to refer students to a law enforcement agency, on a case-by-case basis, as he/she may deem necessary. However, the Superintendent/designee shall refer to a law enforcement agency any student reasonable suspected of selling, dispensing, or distributing tobacco products.

C. Other Persons in Violation

All other persons violating this policy, e.g., employees, visitors, shall be immediately directed to cease violative behavior. In addition, all persons suspected of selling, distributing, or in any way dispensing tobacco products to students shall be referred to a law enforcement agency.

Any employee violating this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures.

III. NOTICES

This Board's policy and corresponding disciplinary actions for infractions of this policy shall be printed in employee and students handbooks. Parents/guardians shall also be sent notification in writing of the Board's tobacco policy and administrative procedure. Notices shall be signed by parent/legal guardians and returned to the school where they shall be kept on file by the school unit.

Cross Reference: JICG – Tobacco Use and Possession Policy

JICH – Student Substance Abuse Policy

Legal Reference: 20 USC 6081 (Pro-Children Act of 1994 – Goals 2000)

22 MRSA § 1578-B

Me. PL 470 (An Act to Reduce Tobacco use by Minors)

Adopted: 02/10/1999

Updated: 05/16/2007