Back in November 2023, 24/7 worked with the New Mexico Public Education Department to strengthen statewide nicotine standards for public schools by updating NMAC 6.12.4. This rule requires all public school districts and charters to strengthen their tobacco and nicotine policies to the standards that 24/7 has been encouraging since the start of this campaign in 2015. Working with the NMPED allowed 24/7 to take a major step closer to making New Mexico schools 100% tobacco and nicotine-free!

Since then, 24/7 has been working hard to make sure as many school districts and charters as possible are made aware of these new changes. The campaign has also been offering full support in policy updates and offering our free resources such as signage, sample announcements and staff emails, faculty training and more. One thing 24/7 has noticed along the way is that many school districts use the policy services of the New Mexico School Board Association, and some mentioned how they usually follow their lead with these types of rule-based policy revisions. 

Upon learning that information, 24/7 sought to partner with the NMSBA on making sure the policies in the services that roughly 80 districts use reflected the newest NMPED rule. After working with their Policy Services Director on consolidating the policies and updating them appropriately, they are now comprehensive and up to standards! A policy advisory was sent out to the districts they serve detailing the new policy and the action districts need to take. The advisory can be found at https://www.nmsba.org/policy-service/ under Policy Advisories and is titled “NMSBA Policy Advisories 247-260 – February 2025”. Now, the roughly 80 districts they serve will find it easier than ever to adopt and implement these changes. Once these districts all go through their policy adoption process, the majority of New Mexico schools will be up to date. This is a huge victory! The benefits of school districts adopting, as well as implementing and properly enforcing these policies will be huge and pave the way for a New Mexico where students can focus on learning, not on being pressured to try addictive products that could harm them and lead them toward addiction.  Any districts or charters who need help with these updates are always encouraged to reach out to 24/7. Whether you need policy help or want access to our free resources, 24/7 is  here to make sure schools have everything they need to help 24/7 on their goal of making New Mexico schools 100% nicotine-free. Reach out at sam@247newmexico.com for help or resources.

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2. NMSBA Updates Tobacco and Nicotine-Policies