SLPS Tobacco-Free Policy

Introduction

St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) is committed to providing a safe, healthy, comfortable and productive work and learning environment for all students, faculty and staff. Research shows that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health hazard.

Policy

SLPS strictly prohibits all smoking and other uses of tobacco products and the use of smokeless or vapor cigarettes within all SLPS buildings and on SLPS property, at all times. Smoking is prohibited on buses used solely to transport students to or from any place for educational purposes or any other vehicle approved by the superintendent to transport students.

Scope

This policy applies to all, including students, faculty, staff, temporary staff, contractors and visitors.

For the purpose of this policy, “tobacco” is defined to include, but not limited to, any lit cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, and any other smoking product; and smokeless or spit tobacco, also known as dip, chew, snuff or snus in any form.

The use, distribution, or sale of tobacco, including any smoking device, or carrying of any lit smoking instrument, on SLPS owned, leased or occupied facilities or at events on SLPS properties, or in SLPS-owned, rented or leased vehicles, is prohibited. This includes:

all campuses;
parking facilities and lots (including in personal vehicles);
SLPS buildings located near city/municipality owned sidewalks, within 20 feet of entryways or exits, near air intakes, or near fire/explosion hazards;

If individuals within SLPS smoke or use tobacco products off SLPS properties, they are expected to be respectful of businesses neighboring SLPS campuses and properties. They should not loiter in front of homes, businesses or facilities near SLPS campuses or properties, and must discard tobacco products in appropriate receptacles.
The free distribution of tobacco products on SLPS property is prohibited.
No tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on SLPS property, SLPS-sponsored events or in publications produced by the SLPS.
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Posting of Signs

“No-smoking” signs must be posted at the entrances of all buildings under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Board of Education. The signs should include the international no-smoking symbol and the statement: “Smoking is Prohibited in All Facilities Under the Jurisdiction of the St. Louis Board of Education.”

“No-smoking” signs should be posted within each facility at key locations (e.g., office areas in schools, conferences rooms, staff lounges). Building administrators and supervisory staff shall be responsible for ensuring that these signs are posted. Building and supervisory staff are encouraged to also display information materials designed to discourage the use of tobacco products.

Prevention Efforts

Materials available from external agencies, such as American Lung Association and American Heart Association, which are prepared to inform people about the dangers of tobacco products, should be made available to employees. In addition, the District will provide Smoking Cessation courses through the American Lung Association.

Procedures

It is the intent of the Board of Education that a positive and supportive approach be taken toward enforcement of the Tobacco Free Policy. Any conflict should be brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisor for resolution. In any dispute arising from the policy, the health concerns of non-smokers should be given preference.

Employees who violate this smoking policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate discharge.

Our smoking policy is intended to comply with requirements of the City of St. Louis Ordinance.

Tobacco Cessations Programs

SLPS recognizes that quitting tobacco use can be a significant personal challenge. It is the intent of the Board of Education that a positive and supportive approach be taken toward enforcement of the Tobacco Free Policy. To assist those who wish to quit smoking, SLPS shall publish and distribute a list of District sponsored and other sponsored programs designed to promote the cessation of smoking. Said list shall be published on the District website and hard copies and contact information shall be kept available in the Human Resources Department.

Date Adopted: May 26, 2011

Legal Refs: St. Louis City Ordinance 68481