100% Tobacco-Free Schools protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco at school. The benefits of a smoke-free environment and positive role models for students are important, but there are many other reasons that a 100% TFS policy benefits the entire school community.

Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions About 100% Tobacco-Free Schools, and keep reading below for 10 great reasons to go tobacco free:

10 Reasons Your School District should be 100% Tobacco-Free

  1. 100% TFS provide positive role modeling by adult employees and visitors
  2. Lessons learned in the classroom are reinforced with the 100% TFS policy
  3. 100% TFS districts provide a safe environment for students by reducing exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke 
  4. 100% TFS policies protect children from developing an addiction to a dangerous drug. 
  5. 100% TFS policies comply with Federal Legislation prohibiting smoking inside school buildings. 
  6. 100% TFS policies work in conjunction with state and federal laws. 
  7. The 100% TFS model policy helps ensure compliance with state laws designed to limit access to tobacco by children. 
  8. 100% TFS policies prepare students for the reality of tobacco-free workplaces and communities.
  9. 100% TFS polices protect schools from the risk of future liability by prohibiting smoking on school premises.
  10. TFS reduces the risk of fires due to "smoking materials."

Support for Reason #1:

A 100% TFS policy represents a firm commitment by school administration, teachers and parents to prohibit tobacco use by students, employees and visitors. Compliance with the 100% TFS policy confirms this commitment and provides genuine opportunities for adults and peers to serve as role models for not using tobacco. A 2003 study found that students were more likely to smoke in a location where they saw other students and adults smoking. In addition, youth look to adults they respect, such as teachers and school staff, as role models. For these reasons, it is important that all school staff serve as positive role models for students and do not use any tobacco products in their presence.

Support for Reason #2:

Educators consider tobacco use prevention education to be an essential element of comprehensive school health programs. Curriculums often teach resistance skills to help children learn to say no to offers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Coaches of athletic teams regularly prohibit tobacco use by team members. School hallways and bulletin boards often display prevention messages. Children get a mixed message if they step outside their classrooms to view clusters of students and/or teachers using tobacco on school grounds. Schools that are not tobacco-free send conflicting messages to students about tobacco use.

Support for Reason #3:

Children are especially sensitive to the effects of secondhand smoke, whether the smoke is indoors or outdoors and even limited exposure can be harmful. Passing by an outdoor smoking area can trigger an asthma attack or worsen breathing problems for students with certain health conditions. As little as 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can affect coronary arteries of healthy, young nonsmokers. It causes acute and chronic respiratory disease, ear and upper respiratory infections - all primary causes of school absences. These dangers do not meet the standard of a safe environment at school.

Support for Reason #4:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified nicotine, found in tobacco products, as a drug. School policies do not allow the use of other drugs, such as alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine on school grounds and at school-sponsored events. Why should an exception be made for nicotine and tobacco?

Support for Reason #5:

The Pro Children Act of 1994 states: "No person shall permit smoking within any indoor facility utilized for services to kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to children." Children's services for routine health care or day care or early childhood development are also included. This applies to all schools and programs that are funded by the Federal Government or through State and local Governments

Support for Reason #6:

Federal law requires that, if they are to remain eligible for federal funding, school districts must ban smoking in their 'indoor facilities.' However, the law specifically allows states to have more restrictive laws. Thus, a school district's complete ban on smoking should not jeopardize its federal funding. North Carolina law prevents units of state or local government from banning smoking in most public places, including their own buildings. However, the law does not apply to a 'primary or secondary school...except for a teacher's lounge.' Therefore, since federal law will not allow indoor smoking without violating North Carolina law, smoking may be banned at school. In August of 2003, the North Carolina General Assembly amended its legal requirements regarding the use of tobacco products on school grounds and at school-sponsored events. The new Tobacco-free Schools Law (G.S. 143-601) points out clearly that no other law on tobacco use, such as G.S. 143-595 through G.S. 143-601 (Smoking in Public Places) can prevent a local board of education from adopting and enforcing a more restrictive policy on the use of tobacco in school buildings and school facilities, on school campuses, at school-related or school-sponsored events, and in or on other school property.

Support for Reason #7:

In 1997 North Carolina Legislature amended the existing state law prohibiting the sale and distribution of tobacco products to people under age 18. Schools can uphold the intent of the law to limit youth access to tobacco products by crafting policies that prohibit tobacco use by students, employees and visitors at all times, in all school buildings, on all school grounds, and at all school-sponsored events. Additionally, schools can consistently enforce tobacco-use policies and can confiscate tobacco products and paraphernalia brought to school.

Support for Reason #8:

100% TFS policies prepare students for an ever-increasingly tobacco-free world, where tobacco is prohibited in worksites, restaurants, airplanes, malls and more. Employers are becoming more reluctant to hire smokers, due to increased absenteeism, health care costs and possible disability. In a competitive job market and nonsmoking community environment, it is important that all students leave their school years without a smoking-related handicap.

Support for Reason #9:

Litigation related to tobacco addiction and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is growing. Individuals have recovered damages in lawsuits because their employers failed to provide a safe, smoke-free work environment. With the rise in the number of children with asthma, there may be more cause for concern, particularly if an asthma attack or other respiratory problems are triggered because a child is exposed to tobacco smoke in a school setting.

Support for Reason #10:

"Smoking material" fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in the U.S. "Smoking materials" are lighted tobacco products, not lighters or matches. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 4,000 deaths were caused by fires in 2004. Lighted cigarettes can be easily tossed into school trash cans, especially in bathrooms, placing schools and school children at increased risk of injury due to "smoking material" fires. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org

Source: Material listed here was adapted from both the NC Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch and the Grass Roots Guide for Tobacco-Free Schools in North Carolina. For additional sources, see links to materials above.