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Committee to rework tobacco/drug policy after health and wellness committee feedback and model policy comparison
Summary
The advisory committee received recommendations from the district Health & Wellness Committee and decided to review the state model tobacco‑free schools policy and the health‑committee input together before drafting a recommended revision.
Committee members reviewed feedback from the district Health & Wellness Advisory Committee on the drug/alcohol/tobacco policy and agreed to compare the health committee's recommendations with the Rhode Island Department of Health’s model tobacco‑free schools policy before drafting changes.
The district’s current policy was last amended in 2018, and the state model policy was updated in 2024. Health & Wellness provided suggested edits and a limited set of changes rather than adopting the full model policy. Committee members asked staff to examine the model policy sections that concern education programming, enforcement and sanctions, prohibited industry promotions, and definitions (including e‑cigarettes and other products) and to bring a redlined draft that prioritizes clarity and practical enforcement.
Members asked that building principals and administrators be consulted because the model policy contains education and sanction options that would affect building‑level procedures. The committee also asked staff to provide a short synopsis of Health & Wellness Committee discussions (why certain model elements were accepted or rejected) to accompany any redline so the committee understands the rationale behind recommendations.
Action: staff will assemble model‑policy comparisons, consult principals, and return a draft for committee review; no formal vote to adopt changes was taken at this meeting.
