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Board reviews policy banning student possession and use of tobacco and vaping products
Summary
The Mount Lebanon School District reviewed draft policy 2.22 to prohibit student possession, use and sale of tobacco and vaping products on school property and at school events; the policy includes definitions, exceptions for FDA‑approved cessation products, confiscation procedures and potential court fines.
Mount Lebanon School District officials reviewed draft policy 2.22 on tobacco and vaping at the Sept. 8 policy meeting, outlining a broad prohibition on student possession, use and sale of tobacco and vaping products on school property, at school‑sponsored activities and during school transportation.
The policy text presented includes an expansive definition of tobacco products that covers electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah and similar devices, while excluding products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration solely for tobacco‑cessation or therapeutic purposes. The presenter noted guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health directing schools to prohibit student possession of any form of medical marijuana on school property; such instances are governed by the district's controlled‑substances policies.
Key provisions - Prohibition and enforcement: The board prohibits student possession, use or sale of tobacco and vaping products on school property and authorizes confiscation and disposal of tobacco products found on students. - Exceptions and definitions: The term “tobacco product” excludes FDA‑approved cessation or therapeutic products sold solely for approved purposes, and excludes devices sold through licensed dispensaries when applicable under medical‑marijuana statutes, though separate board policy governs possession of medical marijuana by students. - Reporting and penalties: Violation of the policy may result in prosecution initiated by the district and, if convicted, the student may be required to pay a fine for the benefit of the district plus court costs; courts may instead admit a student to an adjudication alternative. Incidents are included in the district’s annual school safety and security incidents report and may be reported to law enforcement. - Support and tampering: The policy encourages counseling and referral to tobacco‑cessation programs for students who violate the rule, and states that tampering with devices that detect tobacco use is itself a violation.
Discussion and next steps No substantive questions were raised during the presentation. The policy is under review and will be considered at the board’s voting meeting next week. No vote was taken on Sept. 8.
Ending If adopted, the policy will formalize broad prohibitions on tobacco and vaping products for students, align the district with state public‑health guidance, and set enforcement and reporting procedures.
