Norman School Board in Cleveland County, Oklahoma Approves

24/7 No Tobacco Policy on School District Property.

On April 20, 2004 a policy banning tobacco use and use of simulated tobacco (i.e. cloves and bidis) was introduced to the Norman School Board. The policy banned tobacco use 24 hours a day, seven days a week anywhere on Norman Public School grounds and at school-sponsored functions such as sporting events. The intended outcomes of the policy or environmental change were to reduce initiation of tobacco use among youth, promote cessation among youth, provide a tobacco-free message that is consistent and reinforced by what is taught in the classroom, promote a healthy lifestyle, and provide a safe environment for children. The policy was approved by the Norman School Board on May 17, 2004 and became effective July 1, 2004.

Policy Initiation

A combination of factors influenced the development of this policy: data describing the burden of tobacco use in Cleveland County and the State of Oklahoma, other school districts in Oklahoma had adopted 24/7 policies, desire to be the healthiest community in the state, and members of the Cleveland County Turning Point (local coalition) and other stakeholders wanted to promote healthy behaviors and improve the health of the local community.

Public Health Agency Roles

The Cleveland County Health Department (local health department) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (state health department) provided informational support for this policy. Support consisted of providing examples of 24/7 policies that had been adopted by other school districts, outlining the rationale for a 24/7 policy, data on the burden of tobacco in Cleveland County and the State of Oklahoma, connecting school officials with Oklahoma schools that had already implemented this policy, and where the school district could obtain tobacco-free signs to post on their grounds. The Cleveland County Health Department Administrative Director also presented to the Norman School Board on April 20, 2004 and described the impact of tobacco in the community and the State of Oklahoma.

Major Partners

The major partners were the Cleveland and McClain County Medical Alliance, Cleveland County Health Department, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Pediatrics – Dr. Kuhls, Tobacco Free Norman (local coalition), and the Cleveland County Turning Point. Other individuals/entities supporting the 24/7 tobacco policy were the Oklahoma Congress of Parents and Teachers, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, 20 signatures from the Norman High School Student Council, 47 signatures from the Norman High School Leadership Class, 250 parent signatures from Long Fellow Middle School, letter of support from Governor Henry, American Cancer Society, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Official Support

The major public officials who supported this effort were Governor Henry, Dr. Joseph Siano, Superintendent, Norman Public Schools, and members of the Norman School Board.

Results from the Policy

The impact of 24/7 policies in Oklahoma is being tracked at the state level through the Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey (OYTS). The OYTS will provide important information on the prevalence of tobacco, cessation attempts, and smoking on school property among middle and high school students. This statewide survey was recently completed in March 2005 and the results will be available at the end of the year. Furthermore, in 2004, the Cleveland County Turning Point (CCTP) received a one-year planning grant in the amount of $75,000 from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) for tobacco control and prevention activities. During the implementation phase of this grant, which begins in the fall of 2005, the CCTP will examine enforcement of the Norman School District tobacco-free policy.

Lessons Learned

The most important lessons learned were that schools must play an important role in communicating to young people a tobacco-free message through school policy, schools are powerful environments for promoting non-smoking norms, the adoption of a tobacco-free policy broadcasts a clear message to students, staff, parents, and the community that school leaders consider the issue important, adults have to set an important example for children, a tobacco-free policy supports and reinforces what is being taught in the classroom (i.e. Mr. Extinguisher, Tar Wars, and other tobacco prevention programs), communities are pillars of strength, and partnerships are vital to public health.

Opposition

We did not experience any voiced opposition to the policy.

Submitted By

Russell Brewer, Dr.P.H., C.H.E.S.

(At time of submission was Health Educator, Cleveland County Health Department in Norman Oklahoma)

Program Associate

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Route 1 & College Road East

Princeton, NJ 08543-2316

(609) 627-7514

(609) 514-5431 FAX

rbrewer@rwjf.org

For Additional Information Contact:

Candida Manion

Norman Regional Hospital

(405) 307-6626 

or

Alexandria Hart-Smith

Cleveland County Health Department

(405) 579-2251.