Good evening Halifax West Parents and Guardians:

The health and safety of our students is always the number one priority for our staff at Halifax West High School. Our school has been engaging in conversations with our staff, School Advisory Council, Youth Health Centre Coordinator, Halifax Police Department School Response Officer and students about the ongoing increase in tobacco and e-cigarette use by students.

Under the Nova Scotia Provincial School Code of Conduct, the use of e-cigarettes (or vaping) is considered an unacceptable behaviour on school grounds or when students are participating or involved in school-sanctioned activities and events. Our school staff will continue to apply strategies used to create and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for our students, staff, and the community. To be clear this means that smoking cigarettes and vaping are not acceptable anywhere inside the school, including in school washrooms and hallways.

I am asking that you have a conversation with your child about making the best possible choices with respect to the use to tobacco and e-cigarettes. To assist you in this conversation I have attached some information on Understanding Youth Vaping and Talking with your Teen about Vaping. There are also resources posted on our school website to assist in smoking / vaping cessation.

As always we will continue to work closely with our students to make good choices with regards to tobacco and vaping use. If your child requires support and or has questions about quitting smoking / vaping please have them reach out to our Youth Centre Coordinator or School Counsellor(s). Thank you for your continued support to make Halifax West a smoke free environment.

Regards

Gregory MacKinnon

Principal