Posted August 2, 2019
KMA has teamed up with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky for an initiative aimed at promoting tobacco-free schools across the state.
With the passage of House Bill 11 in 2019, which established Kentucky’s first tobacco-free schools law, KMA and the Foundation will work together to provide participating school districts with signage designating the campus as tobacco-free. Each sign will include the logos of both organizations, further establishing KMA as a leader and champion for public health in the Bluegrass.
Property signage, as well as window decals and “We Changed Our Policy” cards will be made available at no cost to districts who comply with the new law by July 1, 2020, for implementation no later than the 2020-2021 school year. District policies must cover the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, on or in, property that is owned, operated or leased by the school district. This includes all buildings, vehicles, and outdoor facilities. In addition, tobacco use will be prohibited by adults affiliated with school activities off-campus when not in the presence of students.
A press conference announcing the partnership and availability of signage to school systems will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 22 at the Kentucky School Boards Association Headquarters in Frankfort. All KMA members are encouraged to attend this event. Local media events will also be staged during unveilings of the signs at individual districts throughout the fall.
Tobacco cessation has been a priority for KMA for a number of years. KMA’s “Commit to Quit” public health campaign, launched in 2016, encourages Kentuckians to discuss quitting smoking with their physician. Smoking is also one of the five focus areas of KMA’s AIM for Better Care initiative, which seeks to eliminate administrative barriers to some of the state’s biggest health issues. KMA also serves as a steering committee member of the Coalition for a Smoke Free Tomorrow, a stakeholder group that advocates for tobacco-free policies.
