ALTUS, Okla. – Frederick Public School District adopted a no tobacco policy recently at the June School Board meeting. The policy has made it possible for the district to ensure that school age children will not be exposed to tobacco products at any time while on school property. The 24 hours a day/7 days a week Tobacco Free Campus policy means that there will be no tobacco use anywhere on school grounds, including sporting events, academic extra-curricular activities and school vehicles.

The goal of the 24/7 tobacco free policy is to reduce the health hazards from exposure to secondhand smoke and to reinforce the classroom prevention message. According to the 2006 Surgeon General’s Report, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. Tobacco kills about 6,000 Oklahomans each year. It is the leading cause of preventable death, killing more Oklahomans than alcohol, auto accidents, AIDS, suicides, murders, and illegal drugs combined. According to the State Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention Service website, over 78,000 Oklahoma children already use tobacco. Each day, the equivalent of another classroom gets hooked, as an average of 40 Oklahoma children become regular smokers every day. .. 

“Clearly, the evidence shows that teaching tobacco prevention curriculum in the classroom is not enough. Most adults, including tobacco users, admit that they do not want their children to smoke or use tobacco products,” said Tony O’Brien, superintendant, Frederick Public Schools. “We have to back up what we tell our children by sending clear and concise messages at school that reinforces the classroom prevention message.”

Most adult tobacco users begin using tobacco products at a young age with the consequences manifesting themselves as disease and death later in life. Nationally, 90 percent of smokers start by age 18. The rationale behind the 24/7 no tobacco policy is to promote a pro-health norm at school, to provide a safe environment for students while at school functions or on school property and it prepares students for the reality of tobacco free college campuses and tobacco free workplaces.

The new 24/7 tobacco free policy at Frederick Public Schools applies to all students, employees, visitors and patrons of school facilities.