OXNARD : Smoking Ban for Teachers, Staff OKd
Arguing that allowing teachers to smoke sets a bad example for students, school officials in Oxnard have passed a measure banning smoking on elementary and junior high school campuses.
The measure, which won overwhelming support from teachers and staff members, will not allow the use of any tobacco products inside school grounds, including the parking lots and lunch rooms.
“I do not believe that we should try to teach our students the ill effects of smoking and then have them walk into the parking lot and see teachers smoking,” Assistant Supt. Bernard Korenstein told board members Tuesday.
“We have an obligation as professionals to be role models.”
Korenstein said the ban, which will take effect Jan. 1, was prompted by a state measure that requires schools to be free of tobacco by 1996.
If teachers or staff members are caught smoking on campus, Korenstein said, they will be disciplined as they would be violating any other school district policy.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
