Alternatives to Suspension for Commercial Tobacco Use in K 12 Settings

Schools continue to be on the frontlines battling the youth vaping epidemic, contending with students who are addicted to high-nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and oral pouches. But punitive responses to commercial tobacco-free policy infractions, like suspension and expulsion, isolate - rather than support - youth who struggle with nicotine addiction. Given the impact of addiction on the adolescent brain, as well as the outsized role the tobacco industry plays in predatorily marketing to youth, it is vital for schools to address policy enforcement and accountability through supportive, rather than punitive, measures.
This 60-minute Public Health Law Center webinar features a panel of experts from around the country, all of whom are combating the youth vaping epidemic firsthand. Panelists will discuss alternatives to suspension in K-12 policy enforcement at the state, district, and school levels, including lessons learned from communities that have implemented non-punitive measures and other public health best practices that prioritize the health and well-being of students who struggle with nicotine addiction.
Panelists
* Kimberly Fields, Lead Teacher, Substance Abuse, Guilford County Schools, North Carolina
* Jane Larson, School Social Worker, Superior High School, Wisconsin
* Brisa Sanchez Cornejo, Substance Abuse Prevention Program Supervisor, Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Moderators
* Marisa Katz, Senior Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
* Katie Stapleton, Research Assistant, Public Health Law Center