Vape-Free Schools
There are many ways to address the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices among youth in school environments. Find tools and resources on this page to help school administrators implement the following:
- Tobacco-free and vape-free school policies
- Clear and visible signage that communicates the policy
- Consistent enforcement and consequences in place for violations
- Updated tobacco and vape education in the school’s health curriculum
- Tobacco cessation resources available for both students and staff
Downloadable Tobacco-Free School Signage
Clear and visible signage is an important part of a comprehensive tobacco-free school policy. We have provided a free downloadable PDF of KDHE and KSDE's tobacco-free school sign as well as a round window-cling version. These signs are also available to order in aluminum versions from KDHE via the "No Cost Tobacco-Free Signage Available!"
Signage Resources
Podcasts & Webinars
JUUL, Vape & E-Cigarettes: Unifying the Tobacco Prevention Approach
Promoting Awareness
School administration can:
- Strengthen and review your current tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free policy
- Issue an advisory to parents and provide them with resources about talking to their teens
- Promote health messaging throughout the school
School health services can:
- Educate students and parents on the harms of nicotine and e-cig use
- Provide resources to parents about talking to teens
- Share resources to help both students and adults quit tobacco
Health educators and teachers can:
- Update curriculum that addresses the harms of nicotine and e-cig use
- Use relevant, youth-friendly lesson plans
8 Elements of a Vape-Free School
8 Elements of a Vape-Free School (PDF):
Make sure your school has a comprehensive Tobacco-Free Policy
- Comprehensive Tobacco-Free School Grounds Policy - Kansas State Board of Education (PDF)
- E-Cigarette/Vaping Disciplinary Recommendations - Kansas State Board of Education
- Use the school policy checklist on page 10 of the Kansas Vape-Free Schools Toolkit (PDF)
- Review model policy language on pages 12-13 of the toolkit
- Model Tobacco-Free Policy for Kansas Schools (PDF)
Get the facts
Share information with parents
Promote health messaging throughout the school
- Free print and digital materials, such as posters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- Free school posters with youth messaging on the harms of nicotine and risk of addiction, developed by Hopkins One Voice Coalition:
Update health education curriculum that addresses harms of nicotine and vapes
- Tobacco Industry Sponsored Youth Prevention Programs in School (PDF)
- Tobacco Prevention Toolkit: E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens
- Taking Down Tobacco - Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
- Know the Risks: a Youth Guide to E-Cigarettes
- The Real Cost of Vaping: Grades 9 through 12
- CATCH My Breath™ E-cigarette Prevention Program
Involve and empower students to take action
Communicate and enforce your policy
Provide cessation resources
- Free Truth Initiative Quit Programs for Students:
- My Life My Quit
- N-O-T On Tobacco
Resist is funded by the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition and sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
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Bryce Chitanavong
Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator