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Good tobacco polices in schools are one of the keystones of creating tobacco-free communities. They are a powerful tool for:
- preventing kids from starting to smoke
- reducing exposure to secondhand smoke
- helping people quit
The American Lung Association of Oregon is working with Head Start centers to assure that each center has a good comprehensive tobacco policy and that it is well communicated and enforced. The US Department of Health and Human Services issued an ACF Guidance 4/17/95 that requires a comprehensive tobacco policy.
We have developed a “Tobacco-Free Environment” Model Policy and an accompanying policy checklist. This gold standard policy was adapted from one that is being promoted by the Oregon School Board Association (OSBA) to school districts statewide. The Head Start model policy incorporates elements to ensure that it meets relevant Head Start Performance Standards.
The model policy has been endorsed by the Oregon Head Start Association. Our desire is to have each Head Start Program adopt and implement the Tobacco-Free Environment model policy. In the coming months we will be contacting each Head Start to collect, analyze, and provide feedback and recommendations on existing policy. We will also arrange for you to receive free tobacco-free campus signs and will help in any other way we can. Please email Sandy or call 503-718-6143 with questions or for more information.
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