MISD School Board partners with local youth in the fight against teen nicotine addiction

MORA COUNTY – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program (TUPAC) and the 24/7 campaign recognize the Mora Independent School District’s board for their recent vote on February 16, 2021 to adopt a comprehensive, tobacco-free school policy.

This vote comes after two high school student advocates presented to the school board and their high school principal about the importance of strengthening the policy. “On behalf of myself and my student peers in Mora, I’d like to thank the school board in partnering with 24/7 to make our district truly tobacco-free,” said Ellianna Martinez, a Junior high school advocate. “MISD has an excellent staff and student body, and I believe with this new policy change, the district as a whole will excel in every form possible.”

The 24/7 campaign partners with school districts to help them update their tobacco policies to meet the Department of Health’s comprehensive standard, which is more stringent than the current required laws in the state of New Mexico.^[1] By this standard, the definition of tobacco products must include e-cigarettes and nicotine liquid containers, and the policy must apply to students, staff, and visitors at all school property owned, leased, or rented by the district as well as all school-sponsored activities whether on- or off-site. In addition, the 24/7 tobacco-free guidelines require schools to provide cessation resources as well as progressive and supportive discipline measures to assist those struggling with addiction.

“The adoption of a 100% tobacco-free policy was an easy choice after hearing from Mora High School students and the 24/7 Campaign,” says Superintendent Marvin MacAuley. “In these challenging times, student health is a top priority, and we are intent on keeping all learning environments free from the harms of tobacco.”

To help promote its new comprehensive policy, Mora Independent School District will be receiving free resources from the 24/7 campaign for all schools, including the 24/7 Toolkit and bilingual tobacco-free signs for all school buildings and grounds. Other free resources include faculty trainings and bilingual pre-written announcements, staff memos and parent letters explaining the policy.

“We’re thrilled to count Mora among the other 11 districts across the state who have committed to protecting students from the harms of tobacco,” says David Tompkins, TUPAC Program Manager. “Tobacco control is more important than ever before, and we will continue working with schools to break the addiction cycle in youth.”

About the 24/7 campaign

The 24/7 campaign is an initiative fueled by students and funded by the NMDOH’s TUPAC program with a vision to help all school districts in New Mexico adopt, implement, and enforce comprehensive tobacco-free policies. For more information, visit www.247NewMexico.com.

About the TUPAC program

The Tobacco Use Prevention and Control (TUPAC) program and its partners use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to promote healthy lifestyles that are free from tobacco abuse and addiction among all New Mexicans. The program works with communities, schools, and organizations across the state to implement activities and services that decrease the harmful and addictive use of commercial tobacco, outside of its traditional, sacred or ceremonial purposes. TUPAC follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit www.nmtupac.com to learn more.

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^[1] 6.12.4 NMAC, TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS RULE

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2. Mora Adopts 100% Tobacco-Free Policy to Improve Student Health and Safety