Resources Library – Smoke-Free Environments – Schools
Smoke-Free Environments – Schools
All elementary, middle and high schools in New Brunswick (K-12) are required by the New Brunswick Smoke-Free Places Act to be 100% smoke-free (inside as well as outside – on all school grounds). All schools must also follow Policy 702 – Tobacco-Free Schools (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development). Having tobacco and smoke-free schools is one of the many ways we can protect our children and youth from dangerous exposure to second-hand smoke as well as discourage tobacco and vaping product use intake and a lifelong dependence.
The rising popularity of vaping products in Canada and in New Brunswick, particularly among youth, has many educators and parents worried. It is important to note that vaping is prohibited inside schools and all on school grounds – just as smoking is – by the New Brunswick Smoke-Free Places Act as well as by Policy 702 – Tobacco-Free Schools (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development). Educators, parents, and community leaders must educate children and youth on the health effects and risks of vaping. Youth vaping is also a topic that the New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (NBATC) is following closely. In 2019, we launched a Provincial Working Group on Youth and Young Adult vaping to help stakeholders throughout the province share resources and actions that can be taken to address this alarming issue. You will find resources on this topic via our Hot Topic: Vaping page.
Legislation and Policies
As per the New Brunswick Smoke-Free Places Act, it is prohibited to smoke and vape tobacco, cannabis and other type of substance
- in all indoor enclosed public places (this includes all school K-12, as well as post-secondary institutions); and
- on the grounds of a school.
All K-12 schools must also follow Policy 702 – Tobacco-Free Schools (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) which states:
“The use of tobacco, as defined in this policy and in the Smoke-free Places Act, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited at all times:
-
- on all school premises,
- in schools vehicles (i.e., vehicles used by school districts for transporting students), and
- in vehicles on school premises.
See our Smoke-Free Environments page for the complete list of all designated smoke-free spaces required by law in New Brunswick.
Reporting Smoking and Vaping Violations
See our Smoke-Free Environments page.
Signage
See our Smoke-Free Environments page for information on signage requirements, as well as downloadable signs and templates.
Dangers of Exposure to Second and Third-Hand Smoke
See our Smoke-Free Environments page for information on the importance of smoke-free environments and the dangers of second and third-hand smoke – in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Of particular interest:
Education and Prevention in Schools
There are also many resources on our Prevention – Children and Prevention – Youth and Young Adults pages.
Consider the Consequences of Vaping – Health Canada – 2019 GalleryConsider the Consequences of Vaping – Health Canada – 2019
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Hot Topic - Vaping - Public Education Resources, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents, Quit Smoking - Youth - Tools, Tips and Support for Youth and Young Adults
Consider the Consequences of Vaping – Health Canada – 2019
Campaign aimed at youth to tackle increasing vaping rates among this demographic. Many useful tools are available for parents and educators to talk to teens about vaping.
Digital Influencers – Consider the Consequences of Vaping – 2019 GalleryDigital Influencers – Consider the Consequences of Vaping – 2019
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Hot Topic - Vaping - Public Education Resources, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention – Resources For Youth and Young Adults
Digital Influencers – Consider the Consequences of Vaping – 2019
Influencers targeting teens use YouTube and Instagram to engage their followers on the topic of preventing vaping:
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition (HEPAC) GalleryHealthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition (HEPAC)
Environments - Events - Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free, Environments - Outdoors - Resources – Making Outdoor Environments Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Environments - Sports - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education via Sports
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition (HEPAC)
HEPAC is a coalition of government and non-government organizations that collaborate to foster positive change related to healthy eating and physical activity in New Brunswick.
Healthy School Planner – Joint Consortium for School Health GalleryHealthy School Planner – Joint Consortium for School Health
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents
Healthy School Planner – Joint Consortium for School Health
The Healthy School Planner is a free tool that schools can use to assess the current health environment and build a plan to make improvements.
Healthy School Planner: How to Use – Joint Consortium for School Health GalleryHealthy School Planner: How to Use – Joint Consortium for School Health
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents
Healthy School Planner: How to Use – Joint Consortium for School Health
At a glance information on how to use the Joint Consortium for School Health’s Healthy School Planner.
Heart Smart Kids – Heart & Stoke Foundation – 2019 GalleryHeart Smart Kids – Heart & Stoke Foundation – 2019
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Indigenous - Resources for Educators, Parents and Community Leaders
Heart Smart Kids – Heart & Stoke Foundation – 2019
The Heart Smart Kids (HSK) program is for grades K to 6 in Indigenous communities across the country. This program is designed to help educators teach children and families how to lead healthy lifestyles by providing free print resources for every student. A section about Tobacco-Free living is included. If you are a teacher or health educator of students in grades K-6, register and complete the short and convenient online training to become an official Heart Smart Kids educator – certificate included! After completing the training you will have access to background information on each health topic, online support, options to share stories and feedback, plus easy annual reordering – all for free.
Let’s Talk About Vaping: A Quick Reference Guide GalleryLet’s Talk About Vaping: A Quick Reference Guide
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Hot Topic - Vaping - Public Education Resources, News, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents
Let’s Talk About Vaping: A Quick Reference Guide
The Horizon Health Network’s Centre of Excellence for Clinical Smoking Cessation has created a vaping toolkit for the Healthy Learners in School Program of Public Health that is intended to provide resources and information on vaping for educators working in the Department of Education. This resource contains information on the following topics:
- general vaping information
- nicotine and the young brain
- nicotine and mental heath
- health impacts of vaping
- marketing tactics targeting youth
- quitting vaping
- resources
Report: There are now 100 universities/colleges in Canada with 100% smoke-free campuses GalleryReport: There are now 100 universities/colleges in Canada with 100% smoke-free campuses
Environments - Colleges and Universities - Resources for Making Campuses Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, News, Reports and Statistics
Talking With Your Teen About Vaping: A Tip Sheet for Parents – Health Canada – 2019 GalleryTalking With Your Teen About Vaping: A Tip Sheet for Parents – Health Canada – 2019
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Hot Topic - Vaping - Public Education Resources, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents
Talking With Your Teen About Vaping: A Tip Sheet for Parents – Health Canada – 2019
Useful public health information about vaping and tips on how to talk to teens about it.
The Wellness Movement GalleryThe Wellness Movement
Environments - Events - Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free, Environments - Homes - Resources and Tips – Making Your Home and Car Smoke-Free, Environments - Outdoors - Resources – Making Outdoor Environments Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Environments - Sports - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education via Sports, Prevention - Adult - General Health & Wellness, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Food Insecurity - Food Insecurity and Tobacco Use, Prevention - Indigenous - Resources for Educators, Parents and Community Leaders, Prevention - Mental Health - Mental Health, Addictions and Tobacco Use, Prevention - Pregnancy - Education to prevent smoking during pregnancy, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents, Quit Smoking - Food Insecurity - Tools and support for individuals, Quit Smoking - Indigenous - Tools, Tips and Support for Individuals, Quit Smoking - Mental Health - Resources -Quitting Smoking – Related to Mental Health and Addiction Issues, Quit Smoking - Pregnancy - Help to Quit Smoking for Expectant Mothers, Smoke-Free Environments Resources Page - Learning Opportunities – Smoke-Free Environments
The Wellness Movement
The Wellness Movement is a collective, ongoing effort in New Brunswick to inspire and support the creation of wellness-supporting environments, including tobacco-free and smoke-free homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Visit their website to join the Movement, find resources about a range of wellness topics, consult an events calendar of activities across the province and get inspired by New Brunswick success stories.
The Wellness Movement – Connect with Wellness in your Region GalleryThe Wellness Movement – Connect with Wellness in your Region
Environments - Events - Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free, Environments - Homes - Resources and Tips – Making Your Home and Car Smoke-Free, Environments - Outdoors - Resources – Making Outdoor Environments Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Environments - Sports - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education via Sports, Environments - Workplaces - Resources for a Smoke-Free Workplace, Prevention - Adult - General Health & Wellness, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Food Insecurity - Food Insecurity and Tobacco Use, Prevention - Indigenous - Resources for Educators, Parents and Community Leaders, Prevention - Mental Health - Mental Health, Addictions and Tobacco Use, Prevention - Pregnancy - Education to prevent smoking during pregnancy, Prevention - Seniors - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention – For Seniors, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents, Quit Smoking - Food Insecurity - Tools and support for individuals, Quit Smoking - Indigenous - Tools, Tips and Support for Individuals, Quit Smoking - Mental Health - Resources -Quitting Smoking – Related to Mental Health and Addiction Issues, Quit Smoking - Pregnancy - Help to Quit Smoking for Expectant Mothers, Quit Smoking - Seniors - Tools, Tips and Support for Individuals
The Wellness Movement – Connect with Wellness in your Region
The Wellness Movement’s regional webpages make it easy to connect with your local Wellness Networks, and stay informed about wellness initiatives happening near you. You’ll find event calendars, resources, information, tools, photos, and inspiring stories, as well as a list of Regional Wellness Networks in your area.
The Wellness Movement – School Wellness Toolkit GalleryThe Wellness Movement – School Wellness Toolkit
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents
The Wellness Movement – School Wellness Toolkit
Designed to complement existing wellness initiatives in NB schools, the School Wellness Toolkit offers information and fresh ideas to help you champion The Wellness Movement in your school.
The Wellness Movement – Tools for Partners GalleryThe Wellness Movement – Tools for Partners
Environments - Colleges and Universities - Resources for Making Campuses Smoke-Free, Environments - Events - Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free, Environments - Outdoors - Resources – Making Outdoor Environments Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Environments - Sports - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education via Sports, Environments - Workplaces - Resources for a Smoke-Free Workplace
The Wellness Movement – Tools for Partners
A number of tools were created to make it easy to align your messaging and promotional materials with those of The Wellness Movement. They are designed to be customized to fit your needs and have a professional look and feel, whether it be sharable visuals for social media, promotional tools to help promote your Wellness Week events, or kits to help you create or enhance various types of wellness-supporting environments.
The Wellness Movement – Wellness Week GalleryThe Wellness Movement – Wellness Week
Environments - Colleges and Universities - Resources for Making Campuses Smoke-Free, Environments - Events - Resources – Making Events Smoke-Free, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Environments - Sports - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education via Sports, Environments - Workplaces - Resources for a Smoke-Free Workplace
The Wellness Movement – Wellness Week
Each year, Wellness Week (October 1st to 7th) provides an opportunity to recognize everyone’s efforts in promoting wellness and growing The Wellness Movement in New Brunswick. Plan an event to celebrate! This toolkit provides information, ideas and tools to help you get started, or enhance your existing planning efforts.
Tobacco-Free Schools Action Guide – Smoke and Vape Free NB, Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada – 2006 GalleryTobacco-Free Schools Action Guide – Smoke and Vape Free NB, Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada – 2006
About Us - Toolkits Pubs Social Media -Toolkits, Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Prevention - Children - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education – For Educators and Parents, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention -Resources For Educators and Parents
Tobacco-Free Schools Action Guide – Smoke and Vape Free NB, Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada – 2006
The tobacco-free schools initiative uses a comprehensive school health approach to prevent and reduce youth tobacco use by changing the school environment through programs, services, supports and policies.
Video: “Consider the Consequences of Vaping” – Health Canada – 2019 GalleryVideo: “Consider the Consequences of Vaping” – Health Canada – 2019
Environments - Schools - Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Prevention and Education in Schools, Hot Topic - Vaping - Public Education Resources, Prevention - Youth - Youth and Young Adult Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention – Resources For Youth and Young Adults, Quit Smoking - Youth - Tools, Tips and Support for Youth and Young Adults
Video: “Consider the Consequences of Vaping” – Health Canada – 2019
Even though vaping is less harmful than smoking, there are still consequences for you to consider. Vaping can expose you to chemicals that could harm your health. This video is aimed at youth and is part of Health Canada’s Consider the Consequences of Vaping education campaign.
Reports and Statistics – Tobacco and Vaping Products Use & Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke
See our Prevention – Children and Prevention – Youth and Young Adults pages.
Funding & Grants
Funding and grants available for tobacco and vaping product use prevention are listed on our Funding & Grants page.
Learning Opportunities
Are you a school administrator, student leader, concerned parent, health care professional, or policymaker? Recommended resources to consult are listed on our Smoke-Free Environments page for you to learn more about:
- statistics on smoking rates and exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke;
- public health information on smoking and vaping; and
- aligning your efforts with those already underway nationally and provincially.
Success Stories -Smoke-Free Outdoor School Environments
Smoke-Free, at School and in the Community: the Property Surrounding Cité des Jeunes A.-M. Sormany Goes 100% Smoke-Free! GallerySmoke-Free, at School and in the Community: the Property Surrounding Cité des Jeunes A.-M. Sormany Goes 100% Smoke-Free!
Success Stories 2016, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments Outdoor Public Places page, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments Schools page - topic Smoke-Free Schools
Smoke-Free, at School and in the Community: the Property Surrounding Cité des Jeunes A.-M. Sormany Goes 100% Smoke-Free!
For the 965 students, back-to-school was special this year at Cité des Jeunes A.-M. Sormany in Edmundston. Since September 1st, 2016, with the help of the Take Action on Tobacco Use Grant Program, the school launched the Un environnement sans fumée, à l'école et dans ma communauté (A smoke-free environment at school and in my community) program, which makes the school and neighbouring properties, including various sports and arts facilities, 100% smoke-free. "We started working towards this in September 2015," explains Éric Marquis, vice-principal of the school. The first step was to create a committee involving different members of the greater Edmundston community including students, the city's community police officer, faculty members and experts from the provincial health department as well as medical specialists. "We always think about our students' health, but also the health of everyone else at school and the broader community. This new policy is part [...]
Success Stories – Education and Prevention in Schools
Hampton High School Teacher Takes Comprehensive Approach to Rise in Youth Vaping GalleryHampton High School Teacher Takes Comprehensive Approach to Rise in Youth Vaping
Success Stories 2020, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Hampton High School Teacher Takes Comprehensive Approach to Rise in Youth Vaping
Hampton High School teacher Hardy Cameron initially saw vaping as a fad at his school like fidget spinners, but soon realized he couldn’t be more wrong. Within a short period of time, he noticed an increasing number of students vaping on school grounds, in bathrooms, and even on buses. When approached about their vaping activities students typically responded, “At least we’re not smoking.” Cameron admits he wasn’t fully aware of the potential dangers or contents of these newly popular vape products. Initially he believed they were just a mix of flavours and vaporized water and not much to be [...]
Central NB Academy’s TATU Group – Exceptional Tobacco and Smoke-Free Living Champions Making A Difference in Their Community! GalleryCentral NB Academy’s TATU Group – Exceptional Tobacco and Smoke-Free Living Champions Making A Difference in Their Community!
Success Stories 2019, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Central NB Academy’s TATU Group – Exceptional Tobacco and Smoke-Free Living Champions Making A Difference in Their Community!
CNBA TATU receiving a 2019 Community Health Recognition Award from Horizon Health Network. From left to right: Karen McGrath, President and CEO of Horizon Health Network, Lynsey Wilson Norrad, Social worker with Horizon Health Network and facilitator of CNBA TATU, Callie Munn, Lia Munn, and Leanne Mountain, students and founders of CNBA TATU, John McGarry, Horizon’s Board Chair, and Jean Daigle, VP of Community for Horizon. Middle school students from Central NB Academy in Boiestown New Brunswick have been successfully promoting their tobacco and vape-free message not only at their school but throughout their community as well. The Central [...]
Smart Choices Centre Is the Place to Be for Students at Caledonia Regional High School – Reinforcing Healthy Tobacco-Free Habits. GallerySmart Choices Centre Is the Place to Be for Students at Caledonia Regional High School – Reinforcing Healthy Tobacco-Free Habits.
Success Stories 2016, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Smart Choices Centre Is the Place to Be for Students at Caledonia Regional High School – Reinforcing Healthy Tobacco-Free Habits.
Caledonia Regional High School teacher Benjamin Kelly and prinicipal Donna Godfrey. Caledonia Regional High School is a small secondary school in Hillsborough, New Brunswick, with approximately 310 students enrolled in grades 6 through 12. Set in a beautiful and rural setting, the school welcomes students from the communities of Hillsborough, Riverside-Albert and Alma in addition to all the communities from Stoney Creek to Fundy National Park. Like many rural schools, Caledonia Regional High School’s community has few entertainment options for its older students who are permitted to leave the school campus during lunchtime. The local gas station across the [...]
Harcourt School Empowers Its Young Students to Say No to Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke. GalleryHarcourt School Empowers Its Young Students to Say No to Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke.
Success Stories 2016, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Harcourt School Empowers Its Young Students to Say No to Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke.
Kevin Scully is the principal at Harcourt School, a very small rural school in Kent County, New Brunswick with only 40 students from kindergarten through grade 5. Thanks to a Take Action Against Tobacco Use Grant offered by the New Brunswick Department of Social Development, Scully has been able to implement a tobacco-free living education initiative at his school that has empowered his young students to encourage their families to live healthier and tobacco-free lifestyles. “We felt like we had a problem to address in our community in regards to smoking,” says Scully. “We looked online at statistics and [...]
Bonar Law Memorial High School’s Teens Against Tobacco Use Club Uses Engaging Peer-Lead Outreach to Help Its Student Population Be Smoke-Free. GalleryBonar Law Memorial High School’s Teens Against Tobacco Use Club Uses Engaging Peer-Lead Outreach to Help Its Student Population Be Smoke-Free.
Success Stories 2016, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Bonar Law Memorial High School’s Teens Against Tobacco Use Club Uses Engaging Peer-Lead Outreach to Help Its Student Population Be Smoke-Free.
Bonar Law Memorial High School’s (Rexton, New Brunswick) It’s Quitting Time project has got its grade 9 through 12 Teens Against Tobacco Use Club members coming up with creative ways to get their peers to adopt healthy smoke-free lifestyles. “I used to be a smoker myself and have been a non-smoker for the past 22 years,” says club Chaperone and Community Schools Coordinator for Rexton Area Schools, Cheryl Warman. “I am well aware of how hard it is for the students to quit smoking once they start and get addicted, as well as how easy it is to be [...]
Let the students choose their path: the Ridgeview Middle School success story GalleryLet the students choose their path: the Ridgeview Middle School success story
Success Stories 2017, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
Let the students choose their path: the Ridgeview Middle School success story
The Ridgeview Middle School teaches 289 students from grades 6 to 8 in the Oromocto region. Wendy Carlisle, the school coordinator, with Julie Carr and Pat Kilfillen, two public health nurses, facilitate the school's first Middle School TATU Club, with the help of a Take Action Against Tobacco Use grant from the Department of Social Development. The group addresses a specific problem to this age group: decreasing the number of susceptible youth, that is those at risk for starting to smoke, even if there is a very low number of actual smokers within the student population. As seen in [...]
A group effort at school and in the community: the success story of Fundy High School GalleryA group effort at school and in the community: the success story of Fundy High School
Success Stories 2017, Success Stories to feature on Smoke-Free Environments School page - topic Tobacco and Vaping Product Use Education and Prevention in Schools
A group effort at school and in the community: the success story of Fundy High School
Sarah Morgan-Lee is a science and math teacher at Fundy High School. She also works with the school's Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) group. "Our name is our mission," she said. The group consists of 20 students, ranging from grades 9 to 12, as well as different members of the school's staff and professional health practitioners. Their goal is to promote and support tobacco-free living at school and in the community. After an extracurricular fair last fall where the different groups of the school were promoted, Sarah says the interest in SWAT was instant. "The kids want information, but [...]