M-W BOE officially bans e-cigarettes and vaporizers on school property and school-sponsored events

By Nancy Kriz
CENTRAL VALLEY — The Monroe-Woodbury School Board has approved policy changes to officially ban the use of e-cigarettes and vaporizers and any other products that may contain nicotine, except for FDA-approved smoking cessation products.
“As part of the strategic plan survey, students shared their concerns regarding vaping and e-cigarettes in our school buildings,” Superintendent Elsie Rodriguez wrote in a Feb. 23 letter to parents and guardians. “The Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education took immediate action to amend and adopt policies prohibiting possession or use of e-cigarettes on school property and at school-sponsored events. This is a zero tolerance policy.”
The amendments to Policy 5640, “Smoking and other tobacco usage on school premises,” state:
“The use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may contain nicotine, except for current FDA-approved smoking cessation products, are strictly prohibited. Possession by students of paraphernalia such as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may contain nicotine shall be seized by the district.
“The district reserves the right to give such paraphernalia to law enforcement, as it deems necessary and appropriate. Students who use and/or possess e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may contain nicotine shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct.”
The amendments to Policy 7320, “Alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other substances (students),” state:
“The use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may typically contain nicotine among young people for illegal drug use has also become an increasing problem in the United States. The use and/or possession of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may typically contain nicotine but can be utilized for illegal drug use are strictly prohibited on school grounds and at school events.
“Paraphernalia such as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may typically contain nicotine but can be utilized for illegal drug use shall be seized by the district. The district reserves the right to give such paraphernalia to law enforcement, as it deems necessary and appropriate.
“Students who use and/or possess e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and/or any other products that may typically contain nicotine but can be utilized for illegal drug use shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct.”
The policy updates apply to any school-sponsored event or activity off school grounds. The changes were made at the board’s Feb. 21 meeting.