NASBE Urges Tough New Policies to Make All Schools Tobacco-Free

Schools should prohibit smoking by students, staff members, and visitors on school grounds and at all school-related activities, according to recommendations in a report issued by the National Association of State Boards of Education, or NASBE, in Alexandria, Va.

“Policies to Prevent Tobacco Use” urges state school boards to make schools complete tobacco-free environments.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 percent of high school seniors and 12 percent of middle school students are smokers. Five states—Arkansas, Delaware, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Oregon—have comprehensive tobacco-free-schools policies.