Duval County Schools Take Action: A Comprehensive Tobacco Policy Supports Healthier Schools for Duval County Students

Tobacco and nicotine use continues to affect students and the school environment in Duval County. According to the 2024 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, 57% of Duval County middle and high school students reported seeing other students use electronic vapor products on school property during the previous year.

With more than 125,000 students enrolled in Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), the district had an important opportunity to strengthen its response and make sure students received consistent prevention, education, and support. DCPS had already made considerable progress through its K–12 tobacco policy. Five recommended provisions were still needed for the policy to be considered fully comprehensive.

Tobacco-Free Jacksonville worked with the district to help close those gaps. The partnership brought together DCPS leaders, School Health Advisory Council members, Students Working Against Tobacco, healthcare organizations, and other community partners who shared the same concern for student health. This work required consistent and strategic communication and follow-through.

Partners presented local data and evidence-based recommendations, met with district leaders and School Board members, spoke during public comment and school board meetings, and continued providing information as the policy was reviewed. SWAT students were an important part of the effort. They spoke directly with decision-makers about the impact of tobacco and nicotine use in their schools and the changes they wanted to see. Their involvement gave leaders the opportunity to hear from the students most directly affected by the policy.

On May 5, 2026, the Duval County School Board unanimously approved the updated policy and added the remaining recommended provisions. That vote made the district’s K–12 tobacco policy fully comprehensive and created a stronger, more consistent approach across DCPS schools. The updated policy includes a broad definition of “tobacco” or “tobacco use” that encompasses new or emerging products and explicitly includes electronic vapor products, explicit language stating students cannot possess, use, or sell tobacco products and related devices on school grounds and at school events at all times and explains that administrators, staff, and visitors are prohibited from using, displaying, and selling tobacco products and related devices on school grounds and at school events, details narrow exceptions for tobacco products used by adults as FDA-approved cessation products or to support educational activities; and a requirement that the policy or related procedures are evaluated at least once per year.

The approval benefits students, families, teachers, school administrators, and the wider Duval County community. Most importantly, more than 125,000 students are now covered by a comprehensive districtwide policy designed with their health and well-being in mind. Work will continue with DCPS and community partners to support implementation, increase awareness, strengthen cessation resources and supportive consequences, and create more opportunities for youth leadership.

This success reflects years of partnership, persistence, and a shared commitment to helping Duval County students thrive.

Sources: Florida Department of Health, 2024 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, Duval County – Tobacco at School; Duval County Public Schools district enrollment information; Duval County School Board Regular Board Meeting, May 5, 2026; Tobacco-Free Jacksonville partnership documentation, FY 2025–2026.