The SAD 4 Board of Directors recently approved a tobacco-free policy that meets The Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine (PTM) criteria. Their vote follows similar action by SAD #68 in Dover-Foxcroft, SAD #41 in Milo and School Union #60 in Greenville.

All four districts collaborated with the Piscataquis Public Health Council, to develop their own tobacco-free policies as recommended by PTM and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Tobacco-Free school property provides students with a healthy environment consistent with the messages they receive in their classrooms, " said Robin Mayo, Community Partnership Director for the Piscataquis Public Health Council. "We're thrilled that our school officials were willing to take the extra step and meet all of the requirements to be named an official tobacco-free school."

The requirements are developed by PTM and include:

• A written prohibition against tobacco use by students, all school staff, parents, and visitors on school property, in school vehicles, and at school-sponsored functions on or away from school property. "This means no tobacco use at any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by anyone on school property or at any school functions anywhere," said Mayo.
• A written prohibition against tobacco advertising in school buildings, at school functions and in school publications. This includes prohibiting tobacco advertising on clothing such as T-shirts or hats, worn to school or school-sponsored activities.
• A written procedure for enforcing the policy. There must be a written procedure for the steps to be taken when policy violations occur. The procedure should outline steps to be followed for students, staff, and visitors, along with the procedure for first-time offense, second time, and multiple offenses.
• A written procedure for communicating the policy to students, all school staff, parents and families, visitors, and the community.