RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 351 (HB 531) 2017 Regular Session Hoffmann
Existing law prohibits certain activities related to smoking and tobacco use at elementary and
secondary schools. Existing law generally prohibits two classes of activity applicable in
different circumstances, possession and consumption.
Possession
Prior law prohibited possession of lighted tobacco products on school grounds except in an
area specifically designated as a smoking area. New law prohibits possession of lighted
tobacco products and lighted electronic smoking devices on any school property; removes
the exception for designated smoking areas. New law defines school property to include
school vehicles used for the provision of academic and extracurricular programs and
administration.
Consumption
Existing law prohibits chewing or otherwise consuming tobacco products as more
specifically described below. New law further prohibits inhaling and absorbing as acts of
consumption.
Existing law prohibits consumption of tobacco products in any elementary or secondary
school building. New law, applicable to students and school employees only, prohibits
consumption on any school property. New law excepts from these prohibitions tobacco
cessation products approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Read with restrictions on possession of lighted tobacco products, new law allows a person
who is not a student or school employee to consume unlighted tobacco products on school
property outside of school buildings.
Other Provisions
Prior law prohibited possession of lighted tobacco products on a school bus transporting
public school students. New law, in addition to the prohibition on possession in school
vehicles described above, prohibits the "use of" tobacco products in any school bus or school
vehicle that is transporting students.
New law provides that existing law and new law do not apply to school property that is
rented, leased, or otherwise made available for noneducational purposes.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 22, 2017).
(Amends R.S. 17:240(A) and (B))