What Parents Can Do

Other parents and visitors who violate the 100% TFS policy are often simply unaware of the policy’s existence. Help visitors comply with the policy by:

• Approaching a TFS violator in a respectful and non-threatening way to remind them about the policy. Sometimes just pointing to a sign will work.
• Getting involved with the Tackle Smoking project to ensure compliance at sporting events. You can volunteer to make announcements, hand out information cards or supervise students who are participating in the project.
• Volunteering to help teachers create 100% TFS information packets for parents, students, staff and visitors.

Students who violate the 100% TFS policy may feel peer pressure to use tobacco or may want to rebel against the rules. Help students comply with the policy by:

• Helping students who smoke to quit. Encourage them to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to get free information and support on how to quit, or see the Resources on how to quit for other organizations that offer help.
• Asking school administrators to close their campuses so students are not permitted to leave school grounds during class breaks.
• Making sure students do not take tobacco products or smoking materials to campus. Students can't use what they don’t have.

Teachers and staff who use tobacco may initially look for ways to get around the policy or feel resentful about the change. Help teachers and staff who smoke comply with the policy by:

• Thanking those teachers and staff who are trying to quit for setting a good example by providing a small gift to help them keep from using tobacco, such as hard candy. Or simply send them a note encouraging them in their efforts to quit.
• Asking your school administrator if you can volunteer to assist with organized efforts to help staff quit. See the How to Quit Resources Directory for ideas on where you can help.

What Students Can Do

Visitors, especially spectators at sporting events, are often unaware of the 100% TFS policy. Help spread the word by:

• Organizing a Tackle Smoking team for your school. Homerooms and grades can share the load and participate in a fun way to ensure compliance at football games and other events.

Students who violate the 100% TFS policy may feel peer pressure to use tobacco or may want to rebel against the rules. Help your peers comply with the policy by:

• Helping administrators develop policies and strategies to make sure students comply with the policy. Use positive peer pressure by asking fellow students not to violate the policy and encouraging students not to use tobacco at all.
• If you have a friend who uses tobacco, encourage them to quit. Use the How to Quit Directory for information about the North Carolina Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and other resources.
• Asking staff and school resource officers who patrol hallways and school grounds to look specifically for tobacco users. If you see someone using tobacco, alert the nearest hall monitor.
• Get involved in anti-tobacco promotions or youth advocacy opportunities at school through TRU, TATU or SADD clubs. Work on promotions and activities that help to counter the culture that says tobacco is acceptable, or that everyone is using tobacco.

Teachers and staff who smoke may have a difficult time adjusting to the 100% TFS policy. Help make sure they comply by:

• Thanking them for setting a good example for you and other students. If they’re trying to quit, offer to support them in any way you can.

What Teachers, Staff and Administrators Can Do

Visitors may be unaware of the 100% TFS policy or may find it difficult not to smoke if they’re attending a long event such as a concert, game or school play. Help make sure they comply by:

• Approaching a TFS violator in a respectful and non-threatening way. First remind them about the policy. Sometimes just pointing to a sign will work.
• Publicizing the new 100% TFS policy in local newspapers throughout the first year of TFS. Make sure signs outlining the policy are displayed prominently near entrances to the school and the stadium. Pay close attention to sign placement at athletic facilities and fields.
• Making announcements reminding visitors of the policy before and during all school-sponsored events. Put a note reminding people about the policy in programs for all events.
• Thanking everyone in attendance at sporting events for their voluntary compliance with TFS policy. Stress the health benefits of a smoke-free environment.

Students may leave campus to smoke in nearby neighborhoods, leaving trash and loitering on private property. Also, students who are addicted to nicotine may not be able to go the entire day without using tobacco unless they receive assistance. Make sure they comply with the policy by:

• Expanding the “reach” of tobacco-free policies to include proximity of school grounds- areas visible from school property.
• Making sure district policy includes a ban of possession of tobacco products- not just use. Students can’t use what they don’t have.
• Looking specifically for tobacco users when you patrol hallways during student breaks. Train monitors to follow the district’s compliance protocol if a violation occurs.
• Offering resources on how to quit, such as the North Carolina Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW). See the Resources on How to Quit for other options.

Staff who are addicted to nicotine may also have problems going the entire school day without smoking. Help them comply with the 100% TFS policy by:

• Being persistent in reminding staff about the importance of setting a good example for students while on duty.
• Encouraging staff to quit using tobacco by referring them to the Resources on How to Quit.
• Addressing the issue of spit tobacco use with coaching staff and volunteer coaches. Involve pro-health coaches to reach out to those coaches who personally use spit tobacco, and stress to them the role modeling issue.
• Consider providing quit kits to staff who are tobacco users during the first year of TFS policy implementation.

Adapted from materials from the N.C. Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch at nctobaccofreeschools.com