Quality standard

Quality statement 2: Schools and colleges: smokefree grounds

Quality statement 2: Schools and colleges: smokefree grounds

Quality statement

Schools and colleges do not allow smoking anywhere in their grounds and remove any areas previously designated for smoking.

Rationale

Most schools and colleges already have a smokefree policy in place, which includes having smokefree grounds. However, some of the smokefree grounds still allow smoking in designated smoking areas and may even provide smoking shelters. Allowing anyone to smoke anywhere in the school grounds at any time, makes it seem an acceptable activity. Providing outdoor smoking areas facilitates smoking.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of arrangements in local schools and colleges to operate smokefree grounds and remove any areas designated for smoking.

Data source: Local data collection.

Process

a) Proportion of schools and colleges that do not allow smoking anywhere in the grounds.

Numerator – the number in the denominator that do not allow smoking anywhere in the grounds.

Denominator – the number of schools and colleges in the specified geographic area.

Data source: Local data collection.

b) Proportion of schools and colleges with no designated areas for smoking.

Numerator – the number in the denominator with no designated areas for smoking.

Denominator – the number of schools and colleges in the specified geographic area.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

Schools and colleges with smokefree grounds and no areas designated for smoking.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Schools and colleges ensure that smoking is not allowed anywhere in the grounds and that the smokefree policy applies to anyone using the premises for any purpose at any time. They should also remove any existing areas previously designated for smoking in the grounds.

Children and young people attend schools and colleges that do not allow smoking anywhere in the school or the school grounds at any time. The schools and colleges do not have any areas in the grounds set aside for smoking.

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Schools and colleges

This covers:

  • maintained and independent primary, secondary and special schools

  • city technology colleges and academies

  • pupil referral units, secure training and local authority secure units

  • further education colleges

  • 'extended schools' where childcare or informal education is provided outside school hours.

[Adapted from NICE's guideline on tobacco, terms used in this guideline; schools]

Equality and diversity considerations

Smoking rates are higher among those excluded from school and they will not be able to benefit from these actions. Other activities carried out locally should address the needs of this group.