IDEA bans smoking on school grounds

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

The Iqaluit District Education Authority voted this week to designate the four schools under its jurisdiction as smoke-free zones, beginning this fall.

That means that when the next school year begins, teachers and students will not be allowed to smoke on school property. Staff at Nakasuk School, for example, will have to cross the parking lot to Ring Road during smoke breaks.

However, there will likely be no penalty for those who defy the ban. The IDEA motion, which passed 4-1, will compel staff on moral grounds to smoke outside the vicinity of small children.

The meeting lost some momentum shortly before the vote was recorded, when Andrew Tagak, the board’s chair, left the meeting to smoke a cigarette. Aseena Allurut, the vice-chair, took over as moderator, then called for a 10-minute smoke break.

“As a board and representatives of an education council, we are compelled to do the right thing,” said Sean Maloney, the IDEA member who introduced the motion.

“As a smoker, I can tell you it’s a horrible habit, but that’s my cross to bear. This motion is based on doing the right thing – not doing the convenient thing. We will not allow adults to puff cigarettes in front of children.”

But while all IDEA members supported the cause, many said the motion does not go far enough.

“There has to be consequences,” said Kathy Smith, a longtime member of the IDEA. “What are we going to do to the middle school students who smoke outside [the front doors of the school]. What are the repercussions for staff who smoke?”

Caroline Anawak, a member of the IDEA and trained addictions counsellor, said the problem began many years ago, with education campaigns aimed at persuading people to smoke outside public buildings – instead of persuading them to quit altogether.

“We told people to take it outside, rather than telling them to stop it. People are now proud as punch that they smoke outside,” she said.

The concern, many said, is that a policy without a means of enforcement, will have little effect on changing behaviour – and keeping smokers away from students.

“Unless principals are given the resources to enforce it, you might as well tell them [students] there’s no more teenage pregnancy,” said Tim Neily, another longtime IDEA member.

Neily, Nunavut’s administrative coroner, and a smoker, opposed the motion.

“Any DEA has the full authority to pass such a motion,” said Mike Luedicke, the principal of Nakasuk School. “As a principal, I couldn’t agree more [with the policy], but there’s certainly a very great likelihood that smoking [on school grounds] will continue anyway.”

Maloney countered that the IDEA shouldn’t have to impose strict punishments to compel school staff to do what’s in the best interests of children.

“It’s a philosophy I’m advocating here. I don’t want to appear to be strident. I want it to be one big fuzzy wuzzy hug,” he said.

Terry Young, the principal of Inuksuk High School, said the “philosophy” approach could be successful.

“We started a non-smoking group at school. People quit, including five or six teachers,” he said. “Last year, we stopped people from smoking in front of the school. The teachers go to one exit and students go to another.”

Some members pointed out that schools in Cambridge Bay and Arctic Bay have already taken similar measures.

“Let principals, teachers and vice-principals make that moral decision [to support or oppose the ban]. Go get your zyban, get your nico gum, but be warned,” Maloney said.