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 there are serious differences in how suspension and expulsions are used, with Black, Latino, and students of other minorities being much more likely to be suspended or expelled. Most importantly, we believe that the best way to help young people not use tobacco on school grounds is to help them stop using tobacco. Punitive measures will not help students quit.

Truth Initiative recommends that students who violate tobacco policies be approached in a supportive way that focuses on encouraging them to quit using tobacco products. There are “alternative-to-suspension” programs developed for cases where students have repeatedly violated the policy. While we do not endorse any specific programs, we provide a list of programs below that schools may wish to explore. Furthermore, we reiterate that Vaping: know the truth is not an alternative-to-suspension program and is intended for all students (not just those who get caught using tobacco) to be a positive way to help young people make healthy decisions around tobacco use.Vape Dubai

Finally, we encourage schools to refer students who indicate they want to quit using tobacco to services that can help them succeed. This is Quitting, Truth Initiative’s quit smoking program, is targeted specifically to young people and tailored based on age and product usage to give students appropriate recommendations and support for quitting. Your state or local health departments may also provide assistance for young people wanting to quit. Below we provide additional suggestions for students to find help to quit tobacco use. Vape Dubai

Schools have a hefty responsibility for the youth of our nation — they must not only provide education and skills to prepare them for adult life but also play a role in helping young people make safe and healthy choices to set them up for success. Truth Initiative is pleased to offer our Vaping: Know the truth curriculum and This is Quitting to help schools in that endeavor. We hope that schools will review the list of resources below to develop supportive and appropriate disciplinary measures for students who use tobacco products on school grounds. Vape Dubai