Northwest : CYPRESS : School Smoking Ban Takes Effect Dec. 19

Smoking will be forbidden as of Dec. 19 in any building owned by the Cypress School District regardless of the time of day.

And beginning July 1, 1995, “all individuals are prohibited from using tobacco products (anywhere) on district property or in district vehicles.”

The new edicts were unanimously adopted by the school board as part of the district’s “tobacco-free workplace” policy.

The federal government is prodding all school districts to implement such policies. A new federal law, which will take effect Dec. 26, requires public schools to ban smoking in their buildings regardless of the age of the smoker or time of day.

The Cypress School District board on Sept. 13 adopted a ban on tobacco use.

In a memo to the school board, district staff said, “One expected outcome of the tobacco-free policy is the communication of a consistent message: Tobacco use is hazardous for adults as well as students and therefore unacceptable in the school setting. Further, the district has a legislative mandate to alleviate the hazards of the presence and use of tobacco products on any district-owned properties, including district vehicles.”

Before the vote on the anti-smoking policy, trustee Edward K. Southfield jokingly asked, “Does this mean I can’t have an occasional cigar?”

Board President Donna McDougall responded, “It means just that.”