The #2 public high school in New Mexico leads the charter example for prioritizing campus health
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Tobacco Use Prevention and Control program (TUPAC) and the 24/7 campaign recognize the Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School’s board of education for their recent vote to adopt a comprehensive, tobacco-free school policy. The vote signifies the first of its kind within Albuquerque and Bernalillo County as well as in charter schools throughout the state of New Mexico.
“As one of the highest ranked middle and high school public charter schools in the state of New Mexico, having high standards is of utmost importance to us, and our tobacco policy is no exception,” said Jennifer Dennison RN, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School Nurse. “It’s been an honor to work with 24/7 in the fight against tobacco, and we will continue to prioritize a healthy education environment for our students.”
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. 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.
To help promote its new comprehensive policy, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School will be receiving free resources from the 24/7 campaign, including faculty training on the new guidelines, the 24/7 Toolkit and bilingual tobacco-free signs for all school buildings and grounds. Other free resources include bilingual pre-written announcements, staff memos and parent letters explaining the policy as well as progressive and supportive disciplinary protocol suggestions.
“From their dedication, we believe that Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School will lead the way for other New Mexico schools to move forward with implementing these 100% tobacco-free guidelines and prevent youth nicotine addiction,” said Maegan Sanders, Southeast Region TUPAC Coordinator.
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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