News and Events
Dixie District Schools Strengthens Smoking and Tobacco Free Policy
November 14, 2023
On November 14, the Dixie County School Board added provisions to strengthen the district's Smoking and Tobacco Free Environment policy.
As recently as April, 2023 the Dixie County School Board adopted SB 8.32, SMOKING AND TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT” policy. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Dixie County and Dixie County SWAT chapter has been working with the school district for years to strengthen the K12 Tobacco Free Schools Policy. Based on the Tobacco Free Florida’s Comprehensive Policy for Tobacco Free Schools, Dixie County SB 8.32 covered 12 of the 15 provisions that satisfy Tobacco Free Florida’s standards for a comprehensive school-based tobacco free policy.
The provisions that were included in SB 8.32:
- Purpose Statement/Rational
- Key Terms “Tobacco” and/or “Tobacco Use” are Clearly Defined
- Definitions Cover All Tobacco/Nicotine Products
- Students are Prohibited from Possession, Use, and Sale of Tobacco Products
- Administration, Staff, and Visitors are Prohibited from Possession, Use, and Sale of Tobacco Products
- Promotion of Tobacco Products is Prohibited
- Policy Communication and Dissemination is Required
- Tobacco Prevention Education is Required
- Narrow Exception is Included to Allow Limited Use FDA-Approved Cessation Products
- Opportunities for Cessation Access are Provided
- Policy Addresses Staff Enforcement
- Policy Clearly Defines Visitor Enforcement
- And includes (At all times, Across all District Property and at District-Sponsored Events, and Includes Everyone: Students, Staff and Visitors
The Dixie County School Board approved this policy as a commitment to provide students, staff and visitors with a smoking and tobacco-free environment that will support tobacco prevention and protect the health of students. Three of Tobacco Free Florida’s Comprehensive Policy for Tobacco Free Schools provisions that were not addressed in SB 8.32 are:
Policy Evaluation is Required, the policy should require a regular, at least annual, evaluation to determine effectiveness of the policy and related procedures and/or programs. Related procedures and/or programs may include cessation referral systems, enforcement procedures, tobacco prevention education curriculum and process, policy communication, etc.
Supportive Approach to Student Enforcement, the policy should outline clear procedures or references to existing guidelines for handling violations by students. Enforcement procedures for students should prioritize education and addiction support, and not involve suspension or expulsion.
Acceptance of Tobacco Industry Gifts is Prohibited was also not included in SB 8.32. There is a need to prohibit the district from soliciting or accepting gifts, contributions, materials, or curricula from the tobacco industry. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Dixie County met with a school board member, Amanda NesSmith to educate her on the need to address this provision. The Partnership Members shared the CDC Office of Smoking and Health, “Tobacco Industry-Sponsored Youth Prevention Programs in Schools Evidence Brief” and the 2012 Surgeon General’s Report that documents the ineffectiveness of tobacco industry-sponsored youth prevention programs.
On November 14, 2023, the Dixie County School Board introduced a policy change to SB 8.32, Section VII., “B. Acceptance of Tobacco Industry Gifts is prohibited. The Policy prohibits the district from soliciting or accepting gifts, contributions, materials, or curricula from the tobacco industry.” The School Board approved moving to advertise this policy change that will lead to the first reading.
RSVP at info@tfp-dixie.org 