Tobacco use on school grounds prohibited by state law and school board policy

Please be advised that PA Law 1223.5, enacted on Feb. 20, 2001, prohibits the possession and/or use of any tobacco product on any property in the control of a school district. Towanda Area School Board Policy No. 904, Public Attendance of School Events, Community Section, establishes the school board policy to support the law also.

It has been brought to our attention that spectators attending athletic and extracurricular activities are smoking outside of the new gym, in the parking lot and at other locations on school premises. This is a violation of state law. All visitors on school property are directed not to possess or use tobacco products on school district property. The district will ask the Towanda Borough Police to issue a summary offense to anyone violating this law.

This issue is a matter of health and safety as well as a role modeling issue for our youth. If you wish to use tobacco products you will have to drive or walk off the school district premises. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Submitted by the Towanda Area School District