Ventura schools look to broaden ban on tobacco products


The Ventura Unified School District board moved Tuesday night to broaden the district's tobacco policies to include vapor-emitting electronic devices that simulate smoking such as hookah pipes and so-called e-cigarettes.


"They've been picking up popularity, and we want to make sure they're not being used on campus," board President John Walker said after Tuesday's meeting. "Knowing what I know about kids, if it's out there, they're going to try it."

The expanded policies will restrict students from bringing e-cigarettes or similar products on campus or to any school events, even if the devices don't contain tobacco.

"Before it had to be actual tobacco products, but now it includes anything that mimics it," Kathy Asher, assistant superintendent of educational services, said after the meeting.



The new policies don't apply to students who have prescriptions for nicotine patches or gum, such as those who are trying to quit smoking. Those students will still be able to use the patches or gum as long as they conform to the district's rules about prescription medications.


The board will vote Dec. 10 on whether to amend the district's wellness and tobacco-free policies to include prohibitions of e-cigarettes and other vapor-emitting devices that simulate smoking.


"So e-cigarettes are outlawed, too," he said.