Board approves $611,353.62 appropriation from Altria/Jewel settlements for vaping prevention and cessation programs

The Wake County Board of Education on Tuesday approved a fund balance appropriation of $611,353.62 from settlement proceeds related to lawsuits against Altria and Jewel to support vaping prevention, cessation and related programming for the 2025-26 school year.

Brian Glendening, director of health and physical education, told the board the Wake County Public School System has received settlement proceeds from class-action cases against Altria and Jewel totaling approximately $5,860,000, with several million already received by the district. His presentation outlined a multi-year plan to use settlement funds to address youth vaping through five primary strategies: standards-aligned curriculum beginning in grade three; tiered supports and progress monitoring for students who commit tobacco offenses; cessation treatment and referrals; district infrastructure and temporary staff to lead rollout (including one coordinating teacher and two substance-use specialists, contingent on funding); and a communications and advocacy campaign that would include an advocacy scholarship recognizing student leadership.

The requested appropriation of $611,353.62 will fund personnel and non-personnel activities in 2025-26, including posting and onboarding for the coordinating and specialist positions, curriculum and training for teachers, and the communications campaign. Glendening said the district will provide a program update to the board in January 2026 and that the settlement funds are expected to support district efforts for roughly five to seven years, depending on program choices and inflation.

Board member Edmonds, who serves as the School Health Advisory Committee representative, moved approval of the appropriation; the motion was seconded and carried. Board members praised the plans emphasis on prevention, student leadership and supporting students already dependent on nicotine.

Why it matters: Board members emphasized that vapingis a growing health risk among young people and that the settlement funds provide a targeted opportunity to implement curriculum, support and cessation services across the district.

Program details announced at the meeting: - Curriculum: Standards-aligned vaping education beginning in grade three and training for teachers who deliver lessons; tiered supports for students with tobacco offenses focused on education rather than only discipline. - Cessation: Training a counselor from each school and central staff in tobacco treatment strategies plus a referral guide connecting families to local resources. - Staffing: One coordinating teacher position and two substance-use specialists funded while settlement proceeds last; positions contingent on continued funding. - Communications and advocacy: Districtwide awareness campaign and an advocacy scholarship to reward student leadership on vaping prevention.

Next steps: Staff will finalize service agreements with partner organizations, post and onboard positions as funding allows, and report implementation progress to the board in January 2026.