Reviewed May 2009

Rationale:

Smoking is an addictive habit generally acquired in childhood, which causes a large amount of preventable death and suffering in Northern Ireland. Passive smoking is now also acknowledged as harmful to health.

Oakgrove College has a responsibility to be a health promoting environment, and in pursuit of this, teaches pupils about the hazards of smoking as part of the delivered curriculum. It also wishes to protect the health of staff, pupils, users of and visitors to the school.

Aims / Objectives:

·        To educate students about the serious health risks of smoking.

·        To protect non-smokers from the effects of passive smoking.

·        To demonstrate the commitment of the school to promoting the health of its staff, pupils and the community it serves.

Roles and Responsibilities:

·        Pupils:

Pupils may not smoke while on the school premises, while engaged in school-related activities outside school or while in public wearing the school uniform. Students disregarding this rule will be dealt with in accordance with the school discipline policy.

·        Staff:

Staff may not smoke while on the school premises or while supervising school-related activities outside of the College.

·        Visitors:

Any visitors to the school including parents, governors, suppliers or repair and maintenance workers will not be permitted to smoke on the College premises including all buildings and grounds.

·        Leasing / Hiring of the school premises:

Persons using the school premises, for whatever reason, at any time, will not be permitted to smoke.

Implementation:

·        A copy of the policy will be given to staff and will be made available to parents visiting the College on request.

·        Signs and notices will be posted within the College.

Support:

·        Any pupils or staff who wish to stop smoking will be supported and encouraged to by the College.