Tobacco-free school district going too far?

An Oconee school trustee raised questions last night whether the district might be going too far to ensure that the public schools are completely free of tobacco use including the display of items that draw attention to smoking. There were no immediate clear answers to the questions raised by District Five’s Buddy Herring. After calling attention to a section of the tobacco policy that, in part, reads: “Any gear, paraphernalia or clothing, etc. that advertises tobacco use or tobacco use or tobacco products or alternative tobacco products will not be allowed on district grounds….” Herring asked Associate Superintendent Steve Hanvey, “You go to a football game and somebody walks in with a T-shirt advertising Viceroys. What are you going to do with him?” A further question centered on what would happen if a fan walked into a football stadium wearing a Winston Racing Cup jacket.