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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 11, 2005 Policy would ban tobacco on school districts’ property By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune School and state officials are snuffing out the last bits of smoking still allowed on some campuses. A state rule banning all tobacco from all schools by January 2006 means no more designated smoking area at Spiegelberg Stadium next year and no more teachers smoking in their cars in school parking lots, Superintendent Phil Long said. The Medford School Board plans to adopt a new tobacco policy at its next meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday in the South Medford High School cafeteria. To comply with state requirements, the proposed policy would bar all tobacco use on district property, in district vehicles or during district events. New tougher sanctions for repeat offenders could range up to firing for school employees or expulsion for students. Students already were forbidden to have tobacco at school. Advertisement The formal ban for everyone is the final step in a long-term shift in attitude toward tobacco use at schools, Long said. He noted that when he started teaching in Medford 20 years ago, smoke-filled teachers’ lounges were the norm and at football games, the stands were filled with cigarette-puffing fans. School buildings and stadiums have been smoke-free for years now and designated smoking areas have dwindled. "This is kind of a culture change," Long said. Eagle Point School District updated its tobacco policies last month to reflect the tougher sanctions the state called for, even though its campuses were already tobacco-free, Superintendent Bill Feusahrens said. "With this policy, all of us — school staff, school visitors and parents — are helping build a healthy environment for our young people," Eagle Point School Board President Teresa Hulla said in a prepared statement. "Again, this is all about helping students stay away from tobacco." This fall the Central Point School District took away the designated smoking area at Crater High School’s stadium and banned all tobacco use there. It also prohibited school employees from smoking in their cars while at school. Other Rogue Valley schools have had total bans on tobacco for years. Ashland’s policy dates back 10 years, Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said. Phoenix-Talent School District adopted its first tobacco restrictions in 1994 and updated them in 2002, said Tim Mobley, director of instructional services. Rogue River enacted strict rules that meet the state’s newest standards in 2000. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Salvia Divinorum Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s