Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This study examines data from a survey conducted with South Dakota middle and high school principals about tobacco and nicotine use on school grounds and school district tobacco policies. The project was implemented through the South Dakota State University Population Health Evaluation Center and was sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Health Tobacco Control Program. Over 1.58 million high school students and 640,000 middle school students reported using some type of tobacco product in a 2024 report (United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2024). Of the middle and high school students who previously used tobacco products sometime in their life, 43.6% reported that they still use those products (FDA, 2024). The appeal of new tobacco and nicotine products, the highly addictive nature of them, and students’ strategies to hide tobacco use in school settings are challenges school districts face in establishing tobacco-free schools. However, making the effort to implement tobacco control policies have a positive effect on students (American Lung Association, 2026). A total of 285 principals of middle schools and high schools were invited to participate in the study, and 49.1% (n=140) from public, non-public, tribal, special, alternative, or state schools completed the survey. This paper focuses on evidence of student tobacco use, tobacco policy development, and challenges of enforcing tobacco policies. Superintendents and principals are the staff members most likely to identify outdated tobacco policies, write policies, and update them for school districts. Understanding the challenges school administrators face in writing effective policies and enforcing them will aid in developing strategies to move toward tobacco-free schools.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2026 Samantha Fischer

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