The National School Boards Association (NSBA) supports The Smoke-Free Schools Act of 2019, introduced today by U. S. Congressmen Eliot L. Engel (NY-16), Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-01) and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). The legislation is vital to helping school districts and local education agencies address the rapid increase of e-cigarette usage in schools.

The legislation would ban e-cigarette usage in educational and childcare facilities and lays outs findings to support the conclusion that e-cigarette usage in schools and among young students has risen to the level of a public health epidemic.

“The Smoke-Free Schools Act of 2019 allows school districts greater flexibility in addressing a key component of the Every Student Succeeds Act — to foster healthy, supportive, and drug-free schools that support academic achievement for our children," said Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director and CEO of NSBA. “The National School Boards Association appreciates the leadership of Congressman Engel, Congressman Stewart and Congresswoman Stevens in support of healthy and safe learning environments for our nation’s public school students.”

To learn more, read the press release from Congressman Engel’s office.