ADC

SMOKE-FREE SCHOOLS

Use, display, or sale of any tobacco products, including, but not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and snuff and electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes or other similar products that rely on vaporization or aerosolization, within the school buildings, school facilities, on school grounds or school buses, or at school-sponsored events by any individual, including school personnel, students, and guests, is prohibited at all times. Additionally, students shall not possess such products at any time while on school property or at off-campus, school-sponsored events. This policy was drafted pursuant to the authority granted in Rhode Island General Laws § 23-20.9-1 et seq.

Definitions

The term “tobacco product” means any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, heated, smoked, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means. Examples include but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and snuff. Tobacco product also means any electronic device that delivers nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah.

The term “tobacco-related devices” means any device used to aid, ingest, light, burn, or consume any tobacco product as defined herein, including but not limited to pipes, rolling papers matches or any component or part of a tobacco product.

The term “school property” means all facilities and property, including land, whether owned, rented, or leased by the Smithfield School District, and all vehicles owned, leased, rented, contracted for, or controlled by the Smithfield School District for use in transporting students, staff, or visitors.

Enforcement

All policies are published on the school district website. Liberal posting of signs stating, “NO SMOKING”, and “Tobacco-Free School Campus” will be posted both inside and outside the buildings and school grounds. Non-school organizations that use the buildings and grounds will be notified of the prohibition on smoking and vaping.

PENALTIES: HIGH SCHOOL and MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Ongoing use of tobacco products indicates addiction and may be triggered by social-emotional circumstances, therefore, it is important to intervene with responses that are aligned with student tobacco use at a point in time. For that reason, offenses will be cumulative throughout middle school. Upon entering high school, a first offense will be recorded as such then, again, offenses will be cumulative until graduation. In addition to referring the student to counseling and programs for substance use cessation, consequences for students who fail to follow this policy are delineated below:

FIRST OFFENSE:

  1. Confiscation of the product, device and/or paraphernalia, regardless of student age or parental consent

  2. Parent/guardian notification

  3. After-school detention for up to 5 days

  4. Restricted hall pass may be issued

  5. Referral to school-based support staff for intervention

SECOND OFFENSE:

  1. Confiscation of the product, device and/or paraphernalia, regardless of student age or parental consent

  2. Parent/guardian will be required to meet with the administrator, appropriate support staff, and student

  3. In-school suspension for one full day; social suspension may be issued

  4. Restricted hall pass

  5. Referral to school-based support staff for intervention and recommendations for community-based support

THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES:

  1. Confiscation of the product, device and/or paraphernalia, regardless of student age or parental consent.

  2. Parent/guardian will be required to meet with the administrator, appropriate support staff and student.

  3. In-school suspension for one full day; social suspension may be issued

  4. Restricted hall pass

  5. Referral to school-based support staff for intervention and recommendations for community-based support.

  6. Referral to school resource officer for documentation or arrest, at SRO’s discretion.

    1. Offense report - Documentation of all instances of previous violations, school-sanctioned discipline, and steps taken to educate and alter behavior.

    2. Arrest report - Referred to Juvenile Hearing Board (diversionary program) or Family Court

PENALTIES: VISITORS

Visitors who are observed smoking or using any tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery system (e-cigarettes, vapes, vaping devices, etc.), in school buildings or on school grounds will be informed of the Smoking Restrictions in Schools Act and will be asked to refrain from smoking/vaping/using tobacco products in school buildings or on school grounds.

If the individual fails to comply with the request, his or her violation of the policy shall be referred to the building principal or the personnel responsible for the area in which the violation occurred. The building principal or personnel responsible for the area will make a decision on further action which may include a directive to leave the building or grounds. Repeated violations may result in a recommendation to the Superintendent to prohibit the individual from entering the school building or grounds for a specified period of time.


ADOPTED: September 1998

REVISED: July 8, 2002, March 21, 2011, August 17, 2015, February 24, 2020