Ferguson-Florissant Could Be Smoke Free

The might follow in St. Louis County’s steps to become smoke-free by this time next year.

Last week, the Board of Education heard a presentation by DeBorah Ahmed, a senior vice president of Better Family Life, a community action agency and partner with the County’s Health Department, who recommended a gold standard of a 100 percent tobacco free policy throughout the district. With this type of policy, the district would prohibit tobacco use on school grounds, in cars, and at school-sponsored events by staff and visitors.

Ahmed presented a report, prepared by the Center for Tobacco Policy Research at Washington University, which showed that the Ferguson-Florissant School District scored below average for all school districts in St. Louis County area when it comes to the Tobacco Policy Index.

According to the report, the district scored a 58 percent overall on the basis of factors, including environment, enforcement, prevention and organization. It places Ferguson-Florissant at 16 out of 23 schools reviewed in their tobacco policies.

While the district scored 100 percent for its prevention and treatment, it only received 50 percent marks for other categories.

Ahmed said that Better Family Life gave instruction to students in Berkeley Middle School and McCluer Berkeley-South on being tobacco free during their health periods this past fall. Curriculum included a number of items, such as facts of smoking, affects of smoking on mind and body and why do you smoke?

She said that she hopes that if the board adopts a gold standard that her organization would be able to provide anti-tobacco and cessation classes to all middle and high school students. She said that she would also be able to open classes to employees and staff members of the schools.

Currently, the district remains in review and discussion of the possibility.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the policy would be discussed with district teachers for 2012-13 negotiations.

Ahmed said that the board could decide on the measure in its April board meeting.