News and Events

Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Provides New Signage to DeSoto County School District
August 1, 2018

The negative health effects of tobacco use for both users and nonusers, particularly in connection with secondhand smoke, are well established, and the DeSoto County School Board finds it necessary to protect those who choose to not use tobacco from an environment noxious to them.

The DeSoto County School Board (DCSB) has a comprehensive tobacco free policy, and it has been that way for many years. While their policy is strong, and supports their employees’ efforts to quit smoking, they regularly revisit their policy to ensure they are providing an environment that is healthy for all persons on its premises.


Community Health Advocate, Jodie DeLoach, and Superintendent of Schools, Adrian Cline pose next to the new signage that is now on all school board property.

DCSB is dedicated to providing not only employees, but also students and visitors with a tobacco free environment. Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited on any campus or facility owned or leased or contracted for by the Board, including but not limited to, practice fields, playgrounds, football fiends, baseball fields, softball fields, pool areas, soccer fields, tennis courts, and all open areas. Furthermore, the Board prohibits the use of tobacco in all vehicles owned or operated by the Board.

The Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto and the DeSoto County School Board is committed to keeping our youth tobacco free, and the Board’s new signage will have a tremendous positive impact. Increasing tobacco-free social norms on school campuses is a critical component in ensuring that students remain tobacco free. Research shows that students who witness tobacco use on or near school campuses are more likely to view tobacco use as a normalized behavior, increasing their chances to begin using tobacco products.

We thank the DeSoto County School Board for their support and commitment to providing our students, staff, and visitors with a tobacco free environment.

To learn more about the partnership or to get involved, visit www.TFP-DeSoto.org.