TOBACCO-FREE POLICIES

 99% of smokers initiate tobacco use before their 26th birthday. This doesn’t happen by accident. It’s because the tobacco industry has a long history of youth-appealing marketing that continues today, selling slick new products such as e-cigarettes. Because nicotine is addictive and can impact the developing brain, and because a well-funded industry pushes their products into young people’s hands, it is important that schools take a supportive approach to discipline for tobacco violations and avoid taking a punitive approach to disciplining students who violate the school tobacco-related policies. To that end, Truth Initiative does not support suspension or expulsions from school as a punishment for tobacco use, including vaping, on school grounds. Vape Dubai We know that suspension can cause even more problems at school, leading to lower test scores and graduation rates, among other poor outcomes. As an organization committed to equity and inclusion, we note with concern that the...