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TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOL MODEL POLICY
The Rhode Island Tobacco-Free Schools Campus Model Policy was created by Tobacco Free Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Student Assistance Services, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association. It builds off of the 2019 tobacco-free schools model policy. The 2024 version reflects recent changes to state laws, redefines tobacco products, promotes fair and equitable implementation practices, excludes acceptance of any tobacco industry-funded promotions, and encourages progressive penalties that are less punitive and more restorative.
Schools, school districts, and communities are encouraged to utilize the latest model policy and educational, enforcement, and treatment tools listed below. Need help implementing the policy or programs in your school or community? Please reach out for technical assistance!
 Rhode Island Tobacco-Free School Law
Download Tobacco-Free School Signage
Rhode Island Tobacco-Free Schools Campus - Model Policy (2024)
This Policy Model is recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Student Assistance Services, American Lung Association and American Heart Association. This policy provides guidance for schools regarding tobacco and nicotine. It is intended for schools to use as is or with adjustments to sanctions to fit the district's and their students' needs. A proactive school-wide education program should complement it.
Alternative to Suspension Program: INDEPTHTM Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health Free program offered by the American Lung Association
- INDEPTH™ is:
- A convenient alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way.
- Instead of solely focusing on punitive measures, INDEPTH™ is an interactive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives, and how to kick the unhealthy addiction that got them in trouble in the first place.
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- INDEPTH™ was piloted at 11 schools across the United States, with 60 percent of student participants reporting that they were willing to quit using tobacco products after completing the program.
- REGISTER for the FREE, online, 1-hour, INDEPTH Facilitator Training Course today!
N.O.T. Not on Tobacco, A Proven Teen Smoking and Vaping Cessation Program
Offered through the American Lung Association
- N.O.T.
- Is designed with teenagers in mind and addresses issues that are specifically important to them.
- Takes a holistic approach with each session using different interactive learning strategies that can be applied and practiced in everyday life.
- Encourages a VOLUNTARY change for youth ages 14 to 19.
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- N.O.T. is an evidence-based program with an impressive success rate, with approximately 90 percent of teens who participate in the program cutting back or quitting tobacco altogether. Post-program, Not On Tobacco® program youth also have been shown to have better grades, higher motivation, fewer absences, better relationships with teachers, and fewer school tobacco use policy violations.
- REGISTER to become a vaping and tobacco cessation facilitator for youth in your school or community today! The online course costs $400. If financial assistance is needed, contact Tobacco Free Rhode Island to discuss.
How did we get here?
Since 2007, ongoing partnerships between state departments, public health organizations, state networks, and school and community prevention organizations have supported healthy, tobacco, and vape-free learning and work environments.
In the past 15 years, the array of tobacco products used on school grounds and campuses has rapidly changed from cigarettes and chewing tobacco to electronic cigarettes like JUUL and vape pens to the use of disposable flavored devices such as Puff Bars, ultimately creating enforcement challenges for schools. In these ever-changing and uncertain times, schools and districts must be armed with the latest evidence-based prevention and treatment tools and strategies to create a tobacco-free environment for all.
 In April 2018, Tobacco Free Rhode Island hosted a state-wide tobacco education training to reflect on recent data regarding youth tobacco and e-cigarette use. At this training, we noticed that administrators, faculty, and staff were looking for ways to raise awareness and follow Rhode Island's newly passed law prohibiting e-cigarette smoking in all public schools, including any property they own or use.
In response to this training, with generous funding from CVS Health, we began a year-long process of gathering stakeholders to create a recommended policy for Rhode Island Schools to ensure compliance with the new smoke-free school requirement. This dedicated group comprised of school administrators, disciplinarians, state agency staff, medical professionals, prevention specialists, students, school resource officers, student assistance counselors, and parents who provided insight and their technical expertise for this policy. This workgroup utilized research about school policy gathered from around the nation and their own expertise to create Tobacco Free Rhode Island's recommended school policy.
In August 2018, TFRI delivered a toolkit that included three metal smoke-free school signs to every elementary, middle, high, public, private, and charter school in the state, declaring that smoking e-cigarettes in or on school property is a violation of Rhode Island General Law.
In the spring of 2022, TFRI convened the following state partners: the Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Student Assistance Services, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association, to review and update Rhode Island’s 2019 tobacco-free schools model policy. The newest version, which is compliant with state and federal laws, was made available in August 2022 and includes: a modernized rationale, newly defined tobacco product, fair and equitable implementation practices, excludes acceptance of any tobacco industry-funded promotions, progressive penalties that are less punitive and more restorative, and innovative tobacco prevention and treatment resources.
Schools, school districts, and communities are encouraged to utilize the latest model policy and educational, enforcement, and treatment tools listed below. Need help implementing the policy or programs in your school or community? Please reach out for technical assistance!
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