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Advocates urge Central Consolidated to adopt 24/7 tobacco‑free policy and add cessation supports
Summary
Representatives from the 24/7 campaign asked Central Consolidated Schools to update district policies (JICD and JBED) to a comprehensive 24/7 standard, add cessation referrals and progressive supportive discipline and said they can supply signs and toolkit materials at no cost.
Sam Colombo of the 24/7 campaign introduced youth advocate Bailey Hasky, who told the board the campaign helps New Mexico school districts adopt comprehensive “24/7” tobacco‑free policies that prohibit possession, use and distribution of commercial nicotine products at all times on district property.
Hasky, a junior at Newcomb High School, said she and other student advocates have worked with the Public Education Department and with district officials in the past and that Central Consolidated’s policies (identified in the presentation as JICD and JBED) were updated in 2023 but now lack some components required to meet PED rule 6.12.4. The presenters said a comprehensive policy should explicitly prohibit all commercial tobacco and nicotine products “at all times 24/7,” require referrals and resources for cessation, and include progressive, supportive discipline for students.
Sam Colombo said the campaign can provide a toolkit, signage and training at no cost and offered to send the district model policies, the PED rule and infographics from student surveys documenting on‑campus tobacco observations. Board members asked about tribal or ceremonial tobacco; the presenters said PED rule 6.12.4 includes an exception for ceremonial and sacred use of tobacco and that the campaign’s focus is on commercial products and nicotine delivery systems, including smokeless products and vapes.
Superintendent Carlson confirmed the district has vape detectors in its middle and high schools and said the district is seeing both nicotine and THC vaping among students. The presenters agreed to send the district their toolkit, model policy language and survey infographics for board review.
