The Herricks Board of Education introduced a revision to their smoking and tobacco use policy at their meeting last Thursday.
The regulations prohibit smoking and tobacco use on Herricks’ school property, including any use in all school district buildings, on school grounds and any district transport vehicle, as well as within 100 feet of all school entrances, exits and outdoor areas.
“This is in accordance with federal and state regulations,” district Superintendent Fino Celano said. “This particular policy refers to the prohibition on smoking in a broad sense, so it applies to community use, it applies to student use, and it applies to anyone using the facilities.”
Celano said this updated policy allows for a more broad application of the prohibition.
The board also extended the regulations to include electronic cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, electronic devices that dispense a tobacco based vapor, are a recent development in tobacco use.
Celano said the district wanted to make sure this new form of tobacco usage was covered in the district’s policy as well.
“It’s a more comprehensive policy that reaffirms our practice, as for several years we have not allowed smoking on school property. It references some fairly recent laws,” Celano said.
According to the updated policy, persons found using e-cigarettes restricted areas will be asked to stop or leave school property.
Adoption of the policy is expected at the next board meeting, on Dec. 15.
