News and Events

The School District of Indian River County Updates Tobacco Free Policy for the 2014-2015 School Year
October 15, 2014

The School District of Indian River County recently updated its tobacco policy for youth and adults on school campuses and other school district property.

The benefits of initiating a comprehensive tobacco control policy include reducing youth exposure to tobacco use, decreasing death,  reducing tobacco use, decreasing disease, preventing youth initiation, promoting adult role models, and providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone on every campus or school event at all times.

IRC Schools

The School District of Indian River County recently updated its tobacco policy for youth and adults on school campuses and other school district property. The benefits of initiating a comprehensive tobacco control policy include reducing youth exposure to tobacco use, decreasing death,  reducing tobacco use, decreasing disease, preventing youth initiation, promoting adult role models, and providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone on every campus or school event at all times.

Pursuant to Board Policy 5512, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in Florida. Most tobacco use begins before the age of eighteen. It is important that schools provide a safe and healthy learning environment, free from exposure to known carcinogens, and one in which adults are role models for healthy behavior. As school district personnel and school visitors serve as role models to students, comprehensive school policies are a necessary strategy to prevent youth initiation, as well as reduce tobacco use.

In order to provide the healthiest and safest environment possible 24 hours a day/365 days a year for students, district personnel, and visitors, the School Board passed a Tobacco Free Policy commencing with the 2012-2013 fiscal year. All uses of tobacco products in any form are prohibited in any School Board owned facility or vehicle, on School Board owned property, or at any School Board sponsored event. Students are prohibited from possessing or using tobacco products during school sponsored events whether on or off District property.

If a tobacco citation is issued by a School Resource Officer (SRO) it is mandatory that the students pay a civil penalty and attend a “school approved anti-tobacco program.” The anti-tobacco program is eight weeks and is offered at the Substance Awareness Center of IRC. Failure to complete this program or pay the civil penalty will result in the suspension of driver’s license or withholding of license.

 Additionally, students possessing or using tobacco products on School District of Indian River County (SDIRC) property are subject to progressive disciplinary consequences as follows: 

In addition, for the current 2014-2015 Student Code of Conduct Handbook, a new set of progressive guidelines were developed specifically for tobacco infractions.  The new tobacco guidelines have been cited by School District personnel as a good example of progressive discipline.  Students caught using tobacco will be offered interventions to stop tobacco use. Tobacco use, if not prevented or stopped in youth is likely to become a life-long addiction causing preventable disease and/or death. The School District’s new Positive Climate and Discipline Team, which includes members from the Tobacco Free Partnership, are also using the tobacco control policy as a model of progressive discipline for other infractions as they develop future versions of the Student Code of Conduct.

For more information, contact Leslie Spurlock at LSpurlock@quitdoc.com.