Schools are key partners in protecting students from smoke exposure

by Teri Wilson

Approximately 18% of Michigan high school students smoke, and although this rate is below the national youth smoking rate of 20%, it remains short of the Healthy People 2010 goal of reducing youth smoking to 16% or less. 1,2 

Exposure to secondhand smoke can have immediate health consequences for young people, especially for those with asthma. Youth exposed to secondhand smoke can suffer from immediate, life threatening asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses. An increasing number of homes in the U.S. have voluntary smoke-free home policies because the health consequences of smoking have been well-documented. 3,4

Children spend nearly a half of their waking hours at school or at school-related activities, and schools can play a critical role in reducing smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and tobacco-related chronic disease among youth. 5 

Schools can help prevent and reduce youth smoking, as well as reduce exposure to secondhand smoke by adopting a 24/7 tobacco-free school policy. 6  A 24/7 tobacco-free school policy prohibits all types of tobacco use at all times on school property, including all school-owned vehicles, as well as at all off-campus school-sponsored events, including athletic and extramural events. 

Over 42% of Michigan’s secondary public schools have adopted 24/7 tobacco-free school policies. 7  Tobacco-free school policies that are implemented, clearly communicated and enforced reduce smoking among students. 8  Adopting 24/7 tobacco-free school policies can change the social norm about the acceptability of smoking, and changing social norms can prevent smoking among youth and encourage youth smokers to quit. 

Schools can also offer assistance to help prevent youth from starting to smoke and to help students, staff and parents that smoke to quit. Comprehensive 24/7 tobacco-free school policies, that include school-based tobacco prevention education and tobacco use treatment services, such as smoking cessation programming or referrals to community resources, are more effective than simply adopting stringent smoke-free policies. 9

In June 2005, the Michigan State Board of Education adopted a comprehensive 24/7 tobacco-free school policy that serves as a recommendation for all Michigan public schools to adopt a comprehensive 24/7 tobacco-free school policy. A copy of the Board of Education policy is available at www.michigan.gov/documents/Tobacco_Free_Schools_Policy_129976_7.pdf.

Local tobacco reduction coalitions can assist schools and school board members in adopting 24/7 tobacco-free school policies.  To find a tobacco reduction coalition in your area, and for free resources on how to adopt, implement and enforce a comprehensive 24/7 tobacco-free school policy, contact the Michigan Department of Community Health, Tobacco Section at 517.335.8376. 

Teri Wilson is a Consultant for the Michigan Department of Community Health,
Tobacco Section

References

1. Michigan Department of Community Health. (2007). Michigan Youth Risk Behavioral
    Surveillance.

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health. Chapter 27 – Tobacco Use. Retrieved January 26, 2009

3. Pirkle, J.L., Bernert, J.T., Caudill, S.P., Sosnoff, C.S., & Pechacek, T.F. (2006). Trends in the exposure of non-smokers in the U.S. population to secondhand smoke: 1988-2002. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(6), 853-858.

4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.

5. Boys Town. (2001). Helping children succeed in school. Retrieved January 26, 2009

6. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2008). How schools can help students stay tobacco-free. Fact sheet.

7. Michigan Department of Education. (2006). Michigan School Health Profile.

8. Grimes, J.D., & Swisher, J.D. (1989). Educational factors influencing adolescent decision-making regarding use of alcohol and drugs. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 35(1), 1-15.

9. Pentz, M.A., Brannon, B.R., Charlin, V.L., Barrett, E.J., MacKinnon, D.P., & Flay, B.R. (1989). The power of policy: The relationship of smoking policy to adolescent smoking.  American Journal of Public Health, 79(7), 857-862.