HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 6460

BYSenators Smith, Bailey, Kiskaddon, Benitz, Craswell, Lee and Anderson

Prohibiting the use of tobacco on school property.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Spanel, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Butterfield, Cooper, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Rasmussen, Rust, Schoon, Todd, Valle and Walker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Cole, Rayburn and Taylor.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The health risks associated with smoking or chewing tobacco products have been the subject of many years of research and debate.  The familiar U.S. Surgeon General's warnings required on cigarette packages by federal law have become increasingly specific in recent years identifying the risks of cancer, heart and lung diseases, and low birth weight in children of women who smoke during pregnancy.

Most school districts in the state prohibit smoking by students on school property, while other districts attempt to accommodate smoking students and staff by providing designated smoking areas.  Some districts have adopted policies which prohibit smoking on all school property by employees and students.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Each school district board of directors shall adopt a written policy prohibiting tobacco use by students and staff on school property.

No policy prohibiting tobacco use shall be required for alternative schools, institutional education programs, juvenile detention centers or for school districts which elect to adopt policies consistent with the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act, Chapter 70.160 RCW.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ENGROSSED:  Exemptions from setting a policy prohibiting the use of tobacco are given to alternative schools, institutional education programs, juvenile detention centers and school districts who have policies consistent with the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Edward Roof, Individual; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Brian Lewis, Individual; Rochelle Hughes, American Lung Association; Robert Fisher, M.D., American Lung Association;  Mike Ryherd, Washington State Medical Association; and Leann Chaney, Parent Teacher Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Larry Norwood, Principal; Laurie Shannon, Teacher at Alternative School; and Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is essential that we present a clear message about smoking to students. Teachers, as a role model for students, should not smoke on school property. This is a major health issue which impacts the lives of students for their entire life.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      It is not the role of the school to regulate and make decisions about what is appropriate behavior.  The school cannot address every social or health issue. The policy on smoking adopted by a district should be set at the local level. There are special school settings such as alternative schools and institutional education programs where it is important to encourage students to return to school rather than setting up artificial barriers, such as a no smoking policy, to drive them away.