Smoking, Vaping, and the Use of Tobacco Products, Policy No. 290

Printable PDF Board Policy 290

Smoking, vaping, and the use of tobacco products or vapor products in any form is prohibited on technology center property. This prohibition includes technology center buildings, grounds, and technology center-owned vehicles. Possession of tobacco products or vapor products by students, staff or visitors on technology center property is, likewise, prohibited. This policy also applies to students and staff at any off-site, school sponsored meeting or event, including, but not limited to, field trips and athletic events.

Posting Signs Pursuant to this Policy

At or near each entrance of every technology center building, the following sign shall be conspicuously posted: Smoking or vaping in this building is prohibited.

“Smoking” means the carrying by a person or having access to a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lighted smoking article, expressly including lighted marijuana and active vaporizing devices. Smoking also includes using products which mimic or simulate smoking behavior, regardless of whether such products actually contain tobacco. This prohibition includes but is not limited to vapor products as defined in this policy.

“Tobacco Products” includes, but is not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, rolling papers, chewing tobacco, snuff, matches, lighters, e-cigarettes, digital/personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and cartridges and products designed for use with electronic nicotine delivery systems, regardless of the nicotine content of the product.

“Vapor product” includes noncombustible products that may or may not contain nicotine, that employ a mechanical heating element, battery, electronic circuit or other mechanism, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce a vapor in a solution or other form. “Vapor product” shall also include any vapor cartridge or other container with or without nicotine or other form that is intended to be used with an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or similar product or device and any vapor cartridge or other container of a solution, that may or may not contain nicotine, that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo or electronic device. “Vapor product” does not include any products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration under Chapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Enforcement

The success of this policy will depend upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and non-smokers. All individuals on technology center premises share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing this policy. Any individual who observes a violation on technology center property may report it in accordance with the procedures listed below. Conduct which violates this policy may also be a crime under Oklahoma law.

Students

Any student using, possessing or distributing tobacco products or vapor products in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures, including out-of- school suspension, pursuant to the board’s policies regarding student discipline.

Staff

Any violation of this policy by staff will be referred to the appropriate supervisor. One (1) written warning will be issued to the staff member with a copy placed in his or her technology center personnel file. Further violations will be considered willful neglect of duty and will be dealt with accordingly based on established policies and procedures for suspension, demotion, dismissal and non-renewal of staff.

Citizens/Visitors

Citizens who are observed smoking or using tobacco products or vapor products on technology center property in violation of this policy will be asked to refrain from smoking on technology center property. If the individual fails to comply with the request, his or her violation of policy may be referred to the superintendent or other technology center supervisory personnel responsible for the area or program during which the violation occurred. The supervisor shall make a decision on further action which may include a directive to leave technology center property. Repeated violations may result in a recommendation to the superintendent or board of education to prohibit the individual from entering technology center property for a specified period of time. If deemed necessary by the technology center administration or the board of education, local law enforcement officials may be called upon to assist with enforcement of this policy.

Reference:    Okla. Stat. tit. 70, §§ 1210.212, 1210.213