419.0 Tobacco and Smoke Free Environment

TOBACCO AND SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a learning and working environment that is tobacco and
smoke free

II. General Statement of Policy

1. All Anoka-Hennepin School District facilities, grounds, and vehicles will be free of tobacco, tobacco-related devices and electronic delivery devices intended to deliver similar products.
2. The requirement of a tobacco-free environment extends to all facilities, whether owned, rented or leased, and all vehicles leased, contracted for or owned by the District.

III. Exceptions

1. A violation of this policy does not occur when an American Indian adult lights tobacco on school district property as a part of a traditional American Indian, Indigenous or cultural practices.
2. A violation of this policy does not occur when an American Indian adult or student carries a medicine pouch containing loose tobacco intended as observance of traditional cultural practices.
3. A violation of this policy does not occur when an American Indian adult or student uses tobacco/kinnikinnick, sage, sweetgrass, or cedar to conduct individual or group smudging. The District recognizes tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, and cedar as traditional American Indian medicines and essential elements of American Indian ceremony.
    
   1. The process under which smudging is conducted will be determined at the building level by the building or site administrator in collaboration with American Indian Education Program Staff.
   2. Smudging by students must be conducted under the supervision of an appropriate school district staff member, as determined by the building or site administrator and otherwise comply with the District’s Equal Access to School Facilities Policy 801.0.
   3. Smudging shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, Minnesota Statutes section 144.411 to 144.417.

IV. Signs and Other Notices

This policy will be printed in student handbooks. It should be posted in highly visible places in all schools of the district, such as, but not limited to all entrances of school buildings, school playgrounds and athletic fields.

Legal References: Minn. Stat. §§ 144.4165 (Tobacco Products Prohibited in Public Schools)