BOARD OF HEALTH, MILLIS, MASSACHUSETTS
5.10.9
RULES AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE USE OR POSSESSION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON
SCHOOL PROPERTY
Section I STATEMENT OF
PURPOSE
WHEREAS conclusive evidence exists that tobacco use is a leading public health
problem in the Town of Millis and throughout the United States; tobacco use causes
cancer, respiratory disease, various cardiac diseases, negative birth outcomes,
allergies and irritations to the eyes, nose, and throat of the smoker and non-smoker
exposed to secondhand smoke; moreá than eighty percent (80%) of all smokers
begin smoking before the age of eighteen (18); and more than three thousand (3,000)
people begin smoking every day in the United States In addition, the United States
Department of Health and Human Services concluded that nicotine is as addictive as
cocaine or heroin. As a result, the Town of Millis recognizes the need to curtail the
use of tobacco products by students, and,
WHEREAS Massachusetts Gencral Laws Chapter 71, Section 71, Section 37H prohibits
the use of tobacco on school property, therefore, enacts the following:
Section II AUTHORITY
The Millis Board of Health, pursuant granted under Massachusetts General
Laws Chapter 111, Section 31, hereby adopts the following regulation to protect the
public health of the community:
Section III DEFINITIONS
"School Property" Any property utilized for school
purposes.
"Students"
Any person enrolled in a public school system in the Town of
Millis.
"Tobacco Products" Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff or any
other form of
tobacco.
Section IV STUDENT TOBACCO USE AND POSSESSION
PROHIBITED
No student may use tobacco or be in possession of any tobacco products.
Section V TOBACCO USE PROHIBITED BY ALL
OTHERS
Tobacco use is prohibited on school property by all other persons.
Section VI PENALTIES
A. Thc penalties for vjolation of Section VI shall be as follows:
I. In the case
of the first violation:
a. Notify the violator's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the violation
b. Requirement that the violator attends tobacco education classes, (e.g.
Tobacco Education Group (TEG), and
c. Issuance of a citation for one hundred dollars ($100.00) as provided for
in Section VII of this regulation.
First reading school committee 8/17/99 Second reading school committee
9/7/99