Garcia calls for smoking ban for school employees

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 | 9:39 a.m.

Clark County School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia wants smoking banned at schools and is asking the School Board to support a change in state law that would do that.

Smoking on school grounds, he said, "just doesn't set a good example for students."

The School Board is expected to hear a presentation from the American Heart Association Thursday night. An agenda item asks the board to support a smoking ban.

Garcia noted that the concept will be unpopular for employees who smoke, however, and smokers are expected to be at the meeting.

School Board member Sheila Moulton said she is "certainly open to hearing the discussion."

"We will hear both sides of the issue. We'll hear from staff and how they will be affected," she said.

Moulton added that she believes a smoking ban would be "a great example for young people."

"I think that's where I'm going."

The American Heart Association, which led an unsuccessful campaign to get smoking banned in government and school buildings during the 2001 legislative session, is working to get the School District's support.

Lobbyists in support of the smoking ban already are preparing for the 2003 legislative session, said Robin Camacho, a spokeswoman for the Las Vegas regional office of the heart association.

Present law requires government and school buildings to provide an indoor location for employees to smoke, Camacho said.

The district's present policy limits smoking to designated areas on school grounds and prohibits it in district vehicles.

Additionally, the policy states that administrators are encouraged to set up outside areas for smoking. Inside smoking areas are used only if smoke cannot seep to other areas and it is a location not used by nonsmokers.