Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 17, 1994                   TAG: 9402170170
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOUSE-PASSED BILL WOULD RESTRICT TEACHER SMOKING

A bill that has been approved by the House of Delegates allows smoking only in designated areas of schools, and only after student activities have ended for the day.

Most school systems in Western Virginia already ban the possession and use of tobacco products by students on school property. Students can be suspended for smoking.

But some localities allow teachers and school administrators to smoke during the school day in designated areas where students are not allowed.

If the Senate approves the bill, which is sponsored by Del. Karen Darner, D-Arlington, smoke breaks would be prohibited in teacher lounges or other designated areas during the school day.

Darner is a teacher and a member of the Virginia Education Association, a teachers' organization that endorsed her bill. She originally wanted to prohibit smoking in schools at all times.

Because of opposition from the tobacco industry, though, the bill was amended to allow smoking in designated areas after students leave for the day.

Not all teachers are happy with the bill. Some in Roanoke County have complained about it, said Doris Boitnott, executive director of the Roanoke County Education Association.

"There is a mix of feelings among our members," Boitnott said. "We have not taken a position on it."

Roanoke County teachers are allowed to smoke in designated areas in a school if a majority request it and the superintendent approves.

Martin Robison, director of community relations for county schools, said the designated smoking areas are far away from classrooms and halls.

The county prohibits the use of tobacco products by teachers and coaches during student activities, including athletic contests and other extracurricular events.

"We haven't had that much difficulty with smoking," Robison said. "I think we might want to look at smoke-free schools and see what the state does."

In Roanoke, smoking is banned in schools at all times except when a majority of a school's faculty has requested a designated smoking area and the superintendent has approved it.

School administrators did not have an immediate count on the number of schools with smoking areas. When the policy was instituted several years ago, 10 schools requested designated smoking areas. The city has 29 schools.

Roanoke also bans smoking by teachers and other staff members at all student and extracurricular activities, said Lissy Runyon, public information officer for the school system.

In Botetourt County, there are designated smoking areas for teachers in high schools because some teachers have requested them. But most elementary schools are smoke-free because the teachers have not requested smoking areas, said Garland Jones, assistant superintendent.

Some localities have tighter restrictions on smoking than the Darner bill would require - and they will be able to keep them if it becomes law. The bill allows school boards to retain their policies if they are more stringent than the state regulations.

Three school systems in the region - Salem, Bedford County and Franklin County - ban smoking in their schools at all times.

Salem prohibits the use of tobacco by teachers, principals or other school employees in buildings or on grounds during the contract day or while supervising students.

Franklin County prohibits smoking in school buildings during the school day and at night at basketball games and other school events.

Spectators wishing to smoke at ball games must go outside to designated areas, said Florella Johnson, associate superintendent for Franklin County.

School administrators have not heard any opposition to the ban, even though the county has many tobacco farmers, Johnson said.

Bedford County has a similar ban. Several years ago, the county designated smoking areas in schools, but it has eliminated them.

It does not allow smoking in any school buildings at any time.

"We feel like we should be models for our students," Superintendent John Kent said. "If we tell them they shouldn't smoke, we should set an example."

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994