Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of middle school students who use vaping devices. This is concerning because we do not fully know the extent of damage this may cause to the health of young people. We talk to students frequently about the dangers and caution them about the consequences that come from possessing or using vaping devices on the bus or school property. Please speak to your students about this and let us know if you have any questions.
RCPS Policy
TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND NICOTINE VAPOR PRODUCTS
All Rockingham County Public Schools have been declared tobacco free sites and drug free zones by the Rockingham County School Board. Use of tobacco or nicotine vapor products by anyone is prohibited on school property.
A. For purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:
1. “School property” shall mean all property owned, leased, rented or otherwise used by a school, including but not limited to the following:
a. All interior and exterior portions of any building or other structure used for instruction,
administration, support services, maintenance or storage.
b. All vehicles used by the division for transporting students, staff, visitors or other persons.
2. “Tobacco” shall include cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and all other kinds and forms of tobacco prepared in such manner as to be suitable for chewing, smoking or both. “Tobacco” shall include cloves or any other product packaged for smoking.
3. “Nicotine vapor product” means any noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating
element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless
of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form. “Nicotine vapor product” includes any electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and any cartridge or other container of nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. “Nicotine vapor product” does not include any product regulated by the FDA under Chapter V (21 U.S.C. § 351 et seq.) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
4. “Smoking” means the carrying or holding of any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, or any other lighted smoking equipment, or the lighting, inhaling, or exhaling of smoke from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind. Use of Tobacco or Nicotine Vapor Products
Students are prohibited from use, possession and/or distribution of tobacco or nicotine vapor products including imitations and/or “look-alikes” on school premises at any time.
A. Student Violation of Policy
1. First Offense – Confiscation of the products and up to three days of BASE (Behavior Assistance and Support for Education), out-of-school suspension or a combination of both.
2. Second Offense – Confiscation of the products and up to five days of BASE (Behavior Assistance and Support for Education), out-of-school suspension or a combination of both.
3. Third Offense – Confiscation of the products and up to 10 days of BASE (Behavior Assistance and Support for Education), out-of-school suspension or a combination of both and Poor School
Standing. In the case of a 10 day out-of-school suspension, the student may be referred to the Discipline 74 Hearing Officer with a recommendation for other disciplinary action(s) such as a change in educational placement or long-term suspension. A recommendation for substance abuse counseling will occur. Students are prohibited from use, possession and/or distribution of imitations and/or “look-alikes” of tobacco on school premises. Disciplinary action appropriate to the offense will follow infractions of the tobacco “look-alike” policy.