Bill prohibiting use of tobacco products on Kentucky school grounds sees final passage

Tobacco-free school legislation saw final passage on Thursday, the final day of the 2019 session.

House Bill 11, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, would prohibit the use of any tobacco product, alternative nicotine product or vapor product on school grounds, in school vehicles, or in other vehicles while on school property.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado, who presented the bill on the Senate floor, said the bill seeks to prohibit tobacco use in schools and on school campuses in order to create a healthy learning environment and explained the policy would leave consequences and implementation up to the local school districts.

The bill was amended in the House to allow local boards of education to opt out of provisions of the bill within three years of the effective date of the law.
Moser has said it is important to pass the legislation to show Kentucky cares about student health and stopping addiction where it starts.

House Bill 11 passed through the House in the first week of the 2019 session and was finally voted on in the Senate on the final day of the session with a 28-10 vote. The tobacco-free schools legislation now heads to the governor for his consideration.