North Carolina Updates No Tobacco Signs in Schools to Include Electronic Cigarettes

Cleveland County has become the first jurisdiction in North Carolina to update its tobacco-free signs in schools to include e-cigarettes. The signage is in line with state law which includes electronic cigarettes among the tobacco products banned on school grounds or premises. The Cleveland County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition partnered with the public schools to put up those signs. North Carolina passed a law to make schools tobacco-free zones about 10 years ago and the policy has been rewarded with a 50% drop in cigarette smoking among high schoolers since that law was passed. The inclusion of e-cigs in the signage is intended to make it clear that vaping is also illegal on school campuses. Should this approach be borrowed by school districts in other states where “juuling” has become a popular activity? The results of this new campaign in Cleveland County will guide other school districts on the effectiveness of this approach.