Outline of the state of District of Columbia
State
District of Columbia
Non-codified policy only

Category
Tobacco Free Environments

Category
Tobacco Free Environments

Topic is not addressed in state statutes or regulations, but is addressed in non-codified policy.

Code of the District of Columbia 38-826.05. Tobacco-free school campuses.

(a)  Tobacco and tobacco products are prohibited in public school and public charter school buildings, grounds, parking lots, parking garages, playing fields, school buses and other vehicles, and at off-campus, school-sponsored events.

Policy Type
Statute

Code of the District of Columbia 7-1702. Definitions.

For the purpose of this subchapter: (1A) “Educational facility” means any enclosed indoor area used primarily as a library or for instruction of enrolled students, including day care centers, nursery schools, elementary schools, and secondary schools, except smoking lounges or specific smoking areas approved by the principal or president of the school, college, or university pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Education, in the case of a public school, or by the trustees or other governing body, in the case of a college, university, or private educational institution. The term “educational facility” shall include all enclosed indoor areas supportive of instruction, including, but not limited to, classrooms, cafeterias, study areas and libraries, but excluding faculty lounges and specific areas approved by the principal of a given school pursuant to guidelines established by the Superintendent of Schools or the head of such private institutions. [...] (7) “Smoking” or “to smoke” means the inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying of a lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, electronic smoking device, or any other tobacco or plant product intended for human consumption through inhalation, in any manner or in any form. (8) “Tobacco product” means any product that is made from or derived from tobacco and is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, or ingested by any other means, including through a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, smokeless tobacco, or an electronic smoking device, as that term is defined in § 7-741.01(1). The term “tobacco product” also includes any component or accessory used in the consumption of a tobacco product, such as filters, rolling papers, pipes, or liquids used in electronic smoking devices. The term “tobacco product” does not include drugs, devices, or combination products authorized for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as those terms are defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, approved June 25, 1938 (52 Stat. 1040; 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.).

Policy Type
Statute

Code of the District of Columbia 7-1703. Smoking restrictions.

(a) Smoking shall be prohibited in the following: (4) Any educational facility except as provided in § 7-1702(1A).

Policy Type
Statute

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 19-713. Use of School Facilities: Other Limitations.

713.1 The use of tobacco in any form on school premises shall be prohibited, except that adults may smoke in special areas designated by the principal with the agreement of the D.C. Fire Marshal.

Policy Type
Regulation

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 2304 Comprehensive School Health Education

2304.1 D.C. Public Schools shall provide health instruction within a planned, sequential, pre K-12 comprehensive school health education curriculum that includes the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health and well-being.

2304.2 Comprehensive school health education shall be defined as age appropriate instruction that improves the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of students so they choose a health enhancing lifestyle and avoid behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate or long term health status.

2304.3 The Superintendent shall ensure that health instruction as defined in this section is taught through the use of appropriate monitoring and establishment of minimum proficiencies or learning outcomes in at least eleven (11) content areas including the following: (a) HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; (b) Human sexuality and family; (c) Prevention and control of disease; (d) Nutrition and dietary patterns that contribute to disease; (e) Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug education; (f) Physical education; (g) Parenting; (h) Coping with life situations; (i) CPR, first aid, safety; injury and violence prevention; (j) Consumer health; and (k) Environmental health.

2304.4 The Superintendent shall establish and maintain a system of teacher training that supports comprehensive school health education through appropriate staff development activities mandated for health and physical education classroom instructors.

Policy Type
Regulation

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 2502 Grounds for Disciplinary Action

2502.3 Tier III behaviors are those behaviors not specifically enumerated in any other tier in this chapter that cause significant disruption to the academic environment or cause harm to self or others. In addition to lesser consequences, Tier III behaviors may result in either on-site or off-site Suspension. (a) The following behaviors shall be considered Tier III behaviors:

  • (1) Inappropriate Use of DCPS Computer or Network (restricted websites, offensive emails);
  • (2) Sale or Distribution of any item without authorization;
  • (3) Possession or Distribution of obscene or pornographic material on school premises;
  • (4) Possession or Use of tobacco;
Policy Type
Regulation

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 3502 Prohibited Uses of Buildings and Grounds

3502.1 No use or lease shall be made of any public school buildings and grounds which unlawfully discriminates against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, citizenship status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, handicapping condition, or any other basis of unlawful discrimination under the laws of the District of Columbia.

3502.2 Public school buildings and grounds shall not be used or leased for any purpose that violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. In making a determination as to whether any particular use violates this requirement, the nature and purpose of the intended use, not the identity of the user or lessee, shall be controlling. In any event, all costs attendant to any use or lease by a church, temple, or religious-affiliated organization of public school premises shall be borne by the user or lessee.

3502.3 The buildings and grounds of the D.C. Public Schools may be used or leased by parochial and private schools for sponsoring athletic contests only if the sponsoring parochial or private school is located within the District of Columbia and the majority of the students attending the sponsoring school are residents of the District of Columbia.

3502.4 The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited at public school buildings and grounds where students are in regular attendance during any part of the day. In those buildings that are entirely leased pursuant to this chapter, alcoholic beverages may only be dispensed or sold if the appropriate license is first obtained from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

3502.5 The use of tobacco and tobacco products on public school premises shall be prohibited at all times, except that adults may use tobacco and tobacco products in designated smoking areas on public school premises established pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the Superintendent of Schools.

3502.6 For purposes of this section, "public school premises" shall be defined as any buildings and grounds, or portion thereof, owned or leased by the District of Columbia government and used by the Board of Education for its programs, offices, or activities. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this title, students shall not be permitted to use tobacco or tobacco products, on public school premises, at any time.

3502.6 All users and lessees of public school buildings shall adhere to the restrictions imposed by the District of Columbia Smoking Restriction Act of 1979, D.C. Law 3-22, D.C. Official Code § 7-1701 et seq. (2001), and the regulations and guidelines issued pursuant thereto.

Policy Type
Regulation