Millions awarded to SD programs preventing tobacco product use

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego County of Office Education was Wednesday
awarded a $1.3 million, four-year state grant that will pay for programs
designed to prevent the use of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.

The grant was one of 14 distributed around the state, totaling $16.6
million.

“The safety and well-being of our students are at the heart of what we
do as educators,” said Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of public
instruction. “Leaders across California have made great strides in the fight
against smoking, but the rise of e-cigarettes and other developments means that
our work is far from over.”

Smoking among middle and high school students dropped between 1996 and
2008, but new nicotine products – like e-cigarettes, also known as vapor
inhalers – have increased in popularity in the last few years, according to
the state Department of Education.

Torlakson sent a letter to schools last month that encouraged
administrators to update their tobacco policies to include the prohibition of e-
cigarettes and other nicotine delivery systems.