School breaking the law?

Kyle · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 6:04 pm

So at my high school the administration has adopted a new policy, tobacco testing. Basically "random" people are selected by computer and they get tested for tobacco in there system. Even if your over 18 and you have tobacco in your system you get suspended. Im over 18 and i smoke cigars every now and then, so i can legally smoke them outside of school but can get suspended in school for smoking them outside of school.

So my question is, if you can die from second hand smoke, cant the tobacco get in your system from second hand smoking, who are they to know if you didn't get it from your mom or dad?

So my question is, do you agree with this policy or are you against it?

Adbot · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 6:04 pm

Mikhail · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 6:22 pm

Plainly stupid idea you can get tobacco second hand smoke almost anywhere.

Evelyn · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 6:35 pm

Apparently school are not learning centers anymore, they're concentration camps...

Seriously, the focus on punishing the students rather than teaching them >.<

Pat · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 8:06 pm

I'm against smoking, but I believe that everybody has a right to kill themselves at any rate they wish. The school system shouldn't control that of you, so I'm against that policy.

Ult_Mac_Dady · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 8:25 pm

Well, if my school did that, and i was suspended, id organize a riot! Give them a REASON TO SUSPEND ME!

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My dad smokes.

Iron Maiden · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 8:44 pm

Pat wrote:

I'm against smoking, but I believe that everybody has a right to kill themselves at any rate they wish. The school system shouldn't control that of you, so I'm against that policy.

100% agreed with you.

OMG SCHOOL NOOB STFU WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE WANT! WE WANT TO LIVE OUR LIFE HOW WE'D LIKE TO BE, LEAVE US ALONE FFS.

Our life outside doesnt concern them at all. Leave us alone.

Adbot · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 8:44 pm

MattVortex · **Posted:** August 26th, 2007, 11:29 pm

Erm. Dunno if it's illegal. I don't see it as right, though.

I'd like to know what their justification is. Smoking is legal at that age. They can justifiably suspend if you have illegal drugs in your system, but not smoking.

There is, of course, also the fact that second hand smoke can get into your system and kill you just like firsthand smoke can.

Has anyone been suspended yet?

Kyle · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 3:45 am

MattVortex wrote:

Erm. Dunno if it's illegal. I don't see it as right, though.

I'd like to know what their justification is. Smoking is legal at that age. They can justifiably suspend if you have illegal drugs in your system, but not smoking.

There is, of course, also the fact that second hand smoke can get into your system and kill you just like firsthand smoke can.

Has anyone been suspended yet?

Not yet, the first round of testing starts today.

zvono · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 4:20 am

Thats a stupid idea.

You can probably also get positive on tobacco by 'Passive Smoking'.

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 4:22 am

Must be stuff involved you're not telling us about, no ones thick enough to do that just cause second hand smoke can get into your system.

Mushroom Queen · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 11:02 am

No one has a right to forcefully take down your medical information unless a court say or unless you say so. End of story. They would have to get a court order if so. Thus, you have the right to refuse it, but that doesn't mean that they can't get permission from a judge.

MattVortex · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 11:37 am

Mushroom Queen wrote:

No one has a right to forcefully take down your medical information unless a court say or unless you say so. End of story. They would have to get a court order if so. Thus, you have the right to refuse it, but that doesn't mean that they can't get permission from a judge.

I somehow don't think they'd go to the lengths of a court order.

Ask for justification for the new policy. Explain that there is such a thing as passive smoking and such, and that it is entirely possible that people who do test positive aren't smokers themselves.

If necessary, quote this, from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 12 wrote:

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Random tests for presence of nicotine are arbitrary interferences into privacy, therefore performing the tests violates Article 12 of the declaration.

Anubis · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 11:47 am

I'm fairly sure they'd be able to tell when the tobacco got into the system. So they might only suspend if it was found to be taken during school hours.

If not.. well, I think the situation may need to be re-assessed.
If you're 18 or above, you shouldn't be forced to do the exam, unless you've signed an agreement. If you're 17 or younger, it's probably your parent's decision.

Jessica · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 3:52 pm

I think the school has absolutely NO RIGHT to do this.

Sidespin · **Posted:** August 27th, 2007, 7:34 pm

That is stupid! People are going to get in trouble for what they leagally can do, or got by 2nd hand smoke. That is just plain Stupidity