E-cigarette policies for tobacco-free schools – 8/26/09

Q: The District of Columbia’s Tobacco Control Program is currently working on developing a model policy as it relates to e-cigarettes in public, private and parochial schools.  In establishing the guidelines for CDC’s tobacco free schools, the program plans to include regulations on tobacco and tobacco products, as well as nicotine and nicotine products. Our 100% tobacco free school policy will cover the use of e-cigarettes.

We want to inquire with other states to determine the language used in their model policies that prohibit the use of e-cigarettes as it relates to the CDC guidelines for tobacco free schools.

A:

1. Alabama -  Alabama doesn't have any language prohibiting e-cigarettes to share.
    
2. Hawaii - Great question. A state Board of Education member recently inquired as to whether there were any examples of policy statements for schools that contained an e-cigarette prohibition. We would really appreciate getting a sample of the policy when finished.
    
3. West Virginia - First know that we have defined an e-cigarette as "an electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette," a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized liquid nicotine solution.
    
   Given this definition, these devices are prohibited under sections 3.6 and 4.6 of the West Virginia Department of Education's Substance Abuse and Tobacco Control policy.
    
   These would also be prohibited under the School’s Medication Policy (the student would not have a prescription).

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