Tobacco & Vaping Information for Schools

Educators play an important role in preventing substances-related harms, including those associated with using tobacco and vaping. The best way to approach the subject is by using a holistic approach.

Schools can use the Comprehensive School Health Framework, an effective and well-established model for informing action on school health matters, and evidence-based strategies including prevention, harm reduction, equity and promoting stigma reduction.

Providing the school community, including students, with real facts in a supportive way and offering a non-judgmental approach is key.

Our team can support your school district address tobacco and vaping. Here are some of the things we can provide consultation and resources for:

• Reviewing or implementing a tobacco and vape free policy
• Reviewing or implementing a tobacco and vaping prevention strategy
• Connection to community resources
• Teaching resources
• Pro-D opportunities for staff
• How to comply with the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation

Contact us by email to connect with a regional Legal Substances Reduction Coordinator for more information.

All public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in B.C. are tobacco and vape free under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation. This ban extends to all school property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of whether or not school is in session. The ban also includes vehicles, parking lots, sports fields, driveways, courtyards and private vehicles parked on school property.

School boards, superintendents and principals are responsible for preventing the contravention of this law. Schools that do not exercise enforcement due diligence may consequentially face administration penalties upwards of $2,500 and/or imprisonment.