How are school tobacco policies rated?
The goal of a school districts tobacco prevention policy is to develop a comprehensive program, that should address creating and maintaining tobacco prevention practices; which correlates to 8 key elements that the State of Alaska and Association of Alaska School Boards, recommended and developed in 2012 a “Gold Star Policy” for districts across the state. The eight key elements consist of the following:
- Prohibits use of all tobacco products on school property which includes grounds, buildings, parking areas, and residences where applicable.
- Prohibits use of all tobacco products in school vehicles.
- Prohibits use of all tobacco products at any school sponsored events, on and off the school campus.
- Defines tobacco to mean all forms of tobacco and tobacco use, all smoking products, smokeless tobacco products, and non-treatment related nicotine delivery systems.
- Applies to all students, staff, and visitors.
- Requires the posting of signs informing students, staff, and visitors that school grounds are tobacco-free.
- Identifies specific enforcement procedures and consequences for violating school policies.
- Remains in force 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Additionally, for a school to be considered at a “Gold Star Policy,” ten additional key elements must be met which could include:
- Includes procedures for communicating policies to visitors.
- Includes procedures for communicating policies to staff.
- Includes procedures for communicating policies to students.
- Includes language specifically prohibiting tobacco use by contractors.
- Includes language prohibiting distribution of tobacco products.
- Includes provisions that refer students and staff to local or statewide programs to help them quit using tobacco.
- Includes progressive consequences for violating school tobacco policy, such as an education program or in school suspension (ISS) versus suspension from school with a student’s first offense.
- Includes language prohibiting tobacco advertising in school buildings or at school functions.
- Includes provisions which stipulate to not accept tobacco industry funds or free giveaways.
- Includes a requirement for evidence-based tobacco prevention education for all students
- Includes language restricting items from school property that might contribute to tobacco use and acceptability, such as lighters, clothing with tobacco logos, etcetera
- States that tobacco possession by a person under 19 years of age is against the law
- Includes a rationale for being tobacco-free
So, considering the aforementioned 8 essential elements for a tobacco policy; 13 additional elements, school districts are scored using the following criteria:
Gold Star….. All 8 key elements, plus at least 10 additional elements
Silver Star…..All 8 key elements, plus 5 to 9 additional elements
Bronze Star...All 8 key elements, plus 1 to 4 additional elements
Tobacco Free School…All 8 key elements
Incomplete….Policy lacks 1 or more key elements to meet the tobacco free school standard
In conclusion, if your school district currently has a Gold Star tobacco policy, you are already experiencing the benefits of that policy; if your school district currently is attempting to develop a Gold Star policy, this article should assist you with that endeavor.
Remember, one of the benefits of attempting to obtain a tobacco-free policy at your school district, is possible funding via grants. In 2013, the Consortium of National Networks for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use and Cancer in Populations Experiencing Tobacco-Related and Cancer Health Disparities had $12,499,855 funding available for a variety of public entities.