Tobacco & Vapour Free Schools

Smoke Free Schools

Under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act all public and private kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in BC are required to be tobacco and vapour free. 

This means all tobacco and vapour products, are not allowed on school property at any time, even when school is not in session.

Tobacco and vapour free schools support families to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle and help schools take a health-promoting approach to tobacco and vapour reduction.

Vapour Product Resources

Tobacco and Vapour Educator Resources

  • This resource is intended to support educators to effectively address youth smoking and vaping. It provides tools, strategies, lesson plans, and activities to assist educators in starting and continuing conversations with students to support youth in making informed decisions about their health in relation to commercial tobacco and vapour products.

Healthy Schools BC

Healthy Schools BC works with partners from the health and education sectors, and with those from the broader community, to support students to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. 

A healthy school is a place where students have many opportunities – in the classroom, and in every aspect of their school experience – to foster their healthy physical, mental, social and intellectual development.

Ceremonial use of tobacco

The ceremonial use of tobacco is exempted from the ban on tobacco use in schools if the ceremonial use is approved by the school board and it is performed in relation to a traditional indigenous activity.

News & Events

A group of people standing with a sign

Currents Summer 2021

Read about your colleagues’ activities, learn about Island Health programs, celebrate achievements and see lots of photos of Island Health employees at work and play.

Read more

People eating lunch at a picnic bench

Island Health Magazine Summer 2021

The summer issue of Island Health magazine includes information on the COVID vaccine; a feature on planning ahead for retirement; Primary Care Networks explained and an in-depth look at the drug-poisoning crisis and some of the projects taking place as part of Island Health’s response.

Read more

magazine cover

Island Health Magazine Spring 2021

Island Health magazine spring 2021 features articles on COVID-19 including a look back at the past year. Also included are articles on the health benefits of spending time in nature, memory loss and aging, and a moving article about one family’s journey with hospice care.

Read more