The Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006, has been amended to add a section requiring all local school districts to adopt, implement, and enforce a written tobacco-free school policy by August 1, 2019.  The law has also been updated to include e-cigarettes in the definition of “alternative nicotine products”.  Access this updated information here:

• Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 Amendment Summary - (DOCX)
• Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 Full Text

Nicotine dependency and other tobacco-related health risks are a threat to SC youth.  Data shows that more than 85% of adult smokers began using tobacco before the age of 18 and that 2,800 kids in the state become regular smokers each year.  An estimated 103,000 kids in SC younger than age 18 will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease and many more will live with a tobacco-related illness.  

Historically, the most common tobacco products used by SC youth have been cigarettes and other combustible forms of tobacco.  With the introduction of new tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes (vapes), hookah, and dissolvable tobacco products, youth are more at risk for nicotine dependency and long-term tobacco use than ever before.  Recent DHEC surveillance efforts show that the most common tobacco product used among SC youth is e-cigarettes or vapes, now defined as an “alternative nicotine product” in S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-501 (2018).

100% Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Model Policy

The Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control has developed a number of resources to help school districts implement a comprehensive tobacco-free policy that is in compliance with the requirements found in section 59-1-380 [Act No. 25 (R38, H3420)] of the SC Code of Laws.  These resources can be used to:

• Adopt a comprehensive tobacco-free school model policy
• Implement and enforce a comprehensive tobacco-free model policy
• Announce policy to staff, students, contractors, and visitors
• Locate tobacco prevention and cessation resources
• Provide evidence-based youth tobacco prevention curricula

Resources for School Districts

• 100% Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Schools Model Policy
• Administrator’s Guide to Implementing Tobacco-Free Schools Model Policy

Communication Tools

• Tobacco-Free Schools Sample Policy One-Page
• Sample sign
• American Lung Association Create Tobacco Free Schools

Tobacco Prevention Curricula

• Stanford University Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
• CATCH My Breath Middle School E-cigarette Prevention
• Botvin Life Skills Training

Youth Tobacco Cessation 

• SC Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW)
• SC Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Youth Support Program
• Smokefree Teen
• CDC Guide for Making Informed Decisions

Fact Sheets

• Alternative Nicotine Products
• DHEC E-cigarette/ENDS Fact Sheet
• American Lung Association: E-Cigarettes, Vapes, JUUL
• DHEC: Nicotine and the Escalating Risk of Addiction for Youth
• CDC Youth and E-cigarettes: What Parents Need to Know
• CDC Teachers and Parents (E-cigarette)
• Physician Advocacy Network (Vaping/JUUL)

For More Information

• Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 Amendment Summary 
• Youth Access to Tobacco Prevention Act of 2006 Full Text
  S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-500 (2018) 
• CDC Nicotine Dependency
• National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens: Classroom Resources
• National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens: Tobacco, Nicotine, and E-Cigarettes
• Smokefree.gov
• Know the Risks
• Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
• Truth Initiative
• Down & Dirty
• Blacklist