Tobacco Free Schools

Tobacco-Free Healthy Schools Policy Program
[ More Services]

This program increases the capacity of schools in New York State to implement effective tobacco-free policies that are in compliance with state and federal laws. School Policy Coordinators areavailable to provide schools with resources and techinical assistance to develop, communicate and enforce comprehensive tobacco-free school policies.

There is no cost to schools involved in this program.

Why Focus on Tobacco?

16.2% of HS students smoke (Girls 16.4% and Boys 15.9%) (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2005)

HS Males who use smokeless tobacco: 6.9% (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2005)

389,000 kids who are alive today, will ultimately die from smoking (if current trends continue). (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2005)

Tobacco use is correlated with an increased use of alcohol and other drugs, sexual activity, fighting and lower academic performance.

Developing and enforcing a tobacco-free policy is recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the #1 strategy to prevent tobacco use and addiction.

What can the program offer your schools?

Technical assistance in the development of a comprehensive tobacco-free policy.
Resource to assist your school in implementing the new policy.
Assistance in developing strategies to communicate the policy to students, staff, parents and campus visitors.
"Tobacco-Free Zone" signage, palm cars, posters and other information for your school district.
Referral information for cessation programs for staff, families and community.
Opportunities for training on alternatives to suspension.
Opportunties to network with other schools working with the Tobacco-Free Healthy Schools Policy Program.

Schools play a key role in creating attitude and behavioral change among students, thier families and in the community. A tobacco-free environment contributes signifigantly to preventing first use of tobacco or interrupting habituated use among youth. For more information please contact Denise Benton at 5818-762-8313 or via email at dbentonfcmc@nycap.rr.com.