Key Points: Tobacco free school policies protect children from exposure to second hand smoke and from observation of tobacco use while at school and school events. Healthy People 2010 established an objective to increase tobacco-free environments in schools to 100 per cent, yet the mid-term review of this objective found progress but indicated the target was not likely to be met by 2010 unless activity increases. A variety of strategies have been used to assess progress in the adoption of tobacco-free school policies, including government and state surveys, policy reviews by NGOs, state-by-state interviews with key informants, and collection s of policies and materials. The most current information available from these efforts has been assembled to provide insight into what progress has been made, how it is being achieved and what more can be done to encourage tobacco free schools. States differ regarding levels of activity, the lead organization (Departments of Health, Education, foundations or NGOs), and the methods by which their increases in policy are being achieved. CDC and the National School Boards Association will discuss a new initiative to increase tobacco-free school policies nationwide and how the project will engage other non-governmental organizations in this effort.

Learning Objectives: Objectives will be achieved through lecture, PowerPoint and discussion.

Benefits: Participants will be called to action and able to employ new strategies and resources.