Schools Tobacco Policy – Key Element Checklist

The development and implementation of tobacco policies in schools is often shaped by the quite specific, almost unique circumstances and practical realities faced by teachers, staff and pupils within individual schools. These circumstances and practical realities mean that tobacco policies can generally vary widely in strength, extensiveness and enforcement from school to school.Whilst it is important to recognise the key differences between individual schools, it is equally important to bear in mind that effective tobacco policy development and implementation is generally supported by a handful of key policy elements:

  1. Tobacco-free environment
  1. Tobacco-free policy enforcement
  1. Prevention and education
  1. Smoking cessation support
  1. Tobacco policy management

This checklist is designed to help schools reflect on and rate their existing tobacco policy position, whilst also considering potential areas where actions, improvements and commitments could realistically be made. Representatives may want to share the checklist with teaching colleagues, support staff, pupils and parents/guardians to support broader consultation and involvement in tobacco policy development and implementation at your school.

To start using the checklist, simply answer the questions under each of the key policy elements. Begin by awarding1 point for each tick in the ‘Yes’ columns. This will provide you witha ‘score’ for the current tobacco policy picture in your school. Don’t worry if yourscore is low. It will be at this stage!

Now, take a look at your ‘No’ and ‘Potential Action’ columns. These should help to highlight areas in which you could realistically commit to takingachievableactions. Remember, we are looking to improve or enhance the existingpolicy, attitude and approach on tobacco at your school. So, basically, we want you to ask ‘whatcouldour school do?’

Finally, having thought about what your schoolcouldcommit to doing, wealso know that we have to be realistic. You’ll struggle to do absolutely everything! So, finish up by ranking your Potential Actionsin order of preference, focus and importance. What are the main actions, the really important things, that you think that your school should to focus on?

1.Tobacco-free environment

It is important to clearly identify and highlight the scope of the tobacco policy for your school. Where does the policy apply? To whom does the policy apply? Is the application of the policy fair and consistent?

Tobacco-free environment / Yes / No / Potential Actions / Rank Actions (1st2nd3rd etc)
Does your school have a formal, written tobacco-free policy?
Has your school taken steps to develop your tobacco-free policy beyond the standard/generic local authority tobacco policy for schools?
Does your tobacco policy address smoking behaviour by pupils?
Does your tobacco policy address smoking behaviour by teaching staff?
Does your tobacco policy address smoking behaviour by contracted support staff (i.e. janitorial staff)?
Does your tobacco policy address smoking behaviour by visitors?
Does your tobacco policy address smoking behaviour amongst parents/guardians waiting at school gates/entrances?
Does the policy prohibit peer to peer sales of tobacco products?
Does the policy address the issue of pupils supplying other pupils with tobacco products?
Does the policy contain an overarching statement which discourages the possession of tobacco products by pupils on school grounds / on school trips?
Is the tobacco policy applied in school grounds/outdoor areas?
Is the tobacco policy applied in school vehicles?
Is the tobacco policy applied on off-site school trips?
Does the policy apply to all other school events both on and off campus?
Does your tobacco policy only apply during standard school day times (9.00am to 3.30pm)?
Does the tobacco policy for your school apply to non-school events or external users/organisations using school buildings, grounds or vehicles in evenings or weekends?
Score

2.Tobacco policy implementation

Whilst an effective Tobacco-Free School policy should be about more than simply disciplining people who do not comply with the policy, it is important to recognise that an effective Tobacco-Free School policy should clarify who the policy applies to, who is responsible for policy implementation, the powers that they have and the procedures that will be used if non - compliance occurs.

Tobacco- free policy implementation / Yes / No / Potential Actions / Rank Actions (1st2n, 3rd etc)
Does your policy clearly state who has overall responsible for policy implementation?
Does the policy clearly state which person/people will have responsibility for practical policy monitoring on a day to day basis?
Does your policy clearly highlight what will happen if pupils, teaching staff, support staff or visitors breach the policy?
Does your policy clearly support consistent and fair enforcement for pupils, teaching staff, support staff and visitors?
Does the policy include positive, supportive measures to address any non-compliance, not just punitive measures?
In reality, is your policy enforced consistently and fairly for all pupils, teaching staff, contracted staff and vistors?
Are there areas in the school, or on school grounds, that are/will be particularly monitored by the policy?
Does your policy offer formal support and training for enforcement personnel?
Does your policy support and advocate a role for senior pupils in policy enforcement and monitoring?
Does the policy set out how the school will deal with information about or knowledge of under-age sales of tobacco by shops /and or trading in illegal tobacco products in the local community?
Score

3.Prevention and education

An effective and proactive Tobacco-Free School policy should be supported by clearly defined tobacco prevention activities. It should not simply be a charter that highlights where and when people cannot smoke or that reiterates the standard tobacco policy guidance provided by local authority education departments.

Prevention and education / Yes / No / Potential Actions / Rank Actions (1st 2nd 3rd etc)
Does your policy remind teaching staff, support staff and visitors about the importance of displaying healthy role model behaviour to pupils?
Does your tobacco policy clearly highlight, support and commit to the provision of tobacco prevention activity within your school in PSHE?
Is tobacco education and prevention addressed via a range of curriculum subject areas, in addition to PSHE?
Does your tobacco policy support the delivery of pupil/peer led tobacco prevention activities?
Does your tobacco policy support the delivery of tobacco prevention activities across all year groups and age ranges, not just S1 and S2?
Does your tobacco policy support year, age, gender and culturally appropriate tobacco prevention activities?
Does your tobacco policy formally support tobacco prevention activities that aim to develop social, decision making,resilience and communication skills?
Do teaching staff have access to effective and up-to-date, information, resources and training to support tobacco-prevention activities?
Does your tobacco policy support partnership working with external agencies, or trained professionals, to work with teachers and pupils on tobacco prevention?
Does your policy support dialogue and action with local shops, businesses and community representatives to address issues such as supply of tobacco products to young people or tobacco based litter?
Does tobacco prevention activity address new and evolving tobacco issues, such as electronic cigarettes?
Does your school regularly run events that promote healthy and tobacco-free lifestyles?
Score

4.Stop smoking support

Tobacco policies should include guidance on how pupils, teachers, support staff and parents/guardians can access stop smoking support services and information. Whilst schools are not legally obliged to provide stop smoking support, it is likely that those that do will encourage recognition and compliance, both in terms smoke-free legislation and the school’s own tobacco policy.

Stop smoking support / Yes / No / Potential Actions / Rank Actions (1st 2nd 3rd etc)
Does your tobacco policy identify a lead person within the school to co-ordinate smoking cessation guidance and support?
Does your tobacco policy highlight mechanisms via which smokers looking to quit can formally be referred to local stop smoking services?
Does your tobacco policy identify how information about the health benefits and support that is available to stop smoking is made accessible to pupils and staff?
Does your policy support the development of stop smoking information and services specifically tailored for pupils/young people?
Does your tobacco policy highlight links with local stop smoking services to provide services and sessions during school hours for pupils?
Does your tobacco policy highlight links with local stop smoking services to provide services and sessions during school hours for teachers and support staff and parents/carers?
Score

5.Tobacco policy management

The long term effectiveness and success of tobacco policies relies greatly upon the management structures and processes that support issues such as policy rationale, consultation, communication, awareness raising, monitoring and evaluation.

Tobacco policy management / Yes / No / Potential Actions / Rank Actions (1st, 2nd 3rd etc)
Does your policy include a clear aim to protect and promote the health of pupils, teaching staff and support staff?
Does your policy include a clear aim to promote and improve the image of the school?
Does your policy link to the health specific elements of wider policy drivers such as Curriculum for Excellence and GIRFEC?
Does your policy emphasise the role the school can play in promoting smoke-free environments within the local community?
In developing your policy, has your school allowed an appropriate period of time for development, consultation and communication before it is formally implemented and enforced?
Have pupils, teachers, support staff and parents/carers been fully and effectively consulted on policy content, coverage and implementation?
Are contracted support staff and their employers aware of the school’s tobacco policy and the need for them to behave in accordance with the school’s tobacco policy?
Have effective steps been taken to ensure that awareness of the policy is at as high a level as possible, both within the school and in the local community?
Is there clear and obvious smoke-free signage in all school buildings, all school ground areas and all entrances?
Is the policy clearly displayed and highlighted to all visitors entering the school and/or school grounds?
Is there a clear commitment for the tobacco policy to include outdoor school events, sports meetings and off site visits?
Does the policy include a clear commitment and methods for monitoring and evaluation?
Does the policy include a clear campus/site map that visually highlights the building and grounds areas that are covered by the policy?
Has the policy been launched with a co-ordinated launch event, designed to further raise awareness of the policy in the school and within the local community?
Score

Tobacco policy development summary

Key policy element / Initial ‘Yes’ score / Potential Action target score / Comments on main ranking (1st, 2nd 3rd ) issues
Tobacco-free environment
Tobacco policy enforcement
Prevention and education
Stop smoking support
Tobacco policy management
Score