New Smoking Policy In Hanover

Students take part in SWAT training

A complete policy review is underway in Hanover School Division.  Superintendent Ken Klassen says trustees are reviewing the policy manual over the next four years of their term.

One of the policies that needs to be changed was the smoking policy.  He notes, although there was a provincial ban on smoking, Hanover's policy still allowed for smoking area.  That has been changed and Hanover is now in line with the provincial smoking ban.  All of the schools and school grounds are smoke free.

Klassen says in addition to the ban the division is working with programs in the schools to address this issue.  He notes they have the SWAT program with their own students training students in other schools to help their peers with smoking cessation. 

The board has also recently approved financial support for a smoking cessation consultant at Steinbach Regional.  The school had already brought in a consultant but for the next year the board will be contributing towards that position.  He adds the move is considered a pilot and it may be expanded into other schools if it continues to be successful.