What is expected of schools?

Schools must establish a smoking ban, indicate the smoking ban and enforce the smoking ban.

Establishing the smoking ban
Schools must take measures to make it clear that a smoking ban applies. You can do this by communicating about it, for example in a school or study guide or in the house rules. Schools must also remove anything from the grounds that encourages smoking, such as smoking posts, ashtrays and smoking areas.

Indicating the smoking ban
Schools are required to indicate the smoking ban. You can decide how this is done, as long as it is clear that smoking is not permitted on the grounds. Signs or posters placed in various locations around the grounds can help with this. This makes it clear to everyone that the smoking ban applies to the entire grounds.

Enforcing the smoking ban
If someone smokes on your school grounds, you are required to address that person about it. You must therefore actively enforce the smoking ban.

Through the website rookvrijschoolterrein.nl, schools can receive support in making their school grounds smoke-free. Among other things, you will find a toolkit, step-by-step plan and sample letters for parents.

How will the NVWA supervise compliance?

As of 1 January 2021, the NVWA began carrying out inspections to determine whether educational institutions comply with the smoking ban on their grounds. The first inspection is announced in advance. The inspector makes an appointment with the person responsible for the smoking policy within the educational institution. During the inspection, the following aspects, among others, are checked:

  • Have measures been taken to make it clear that a smoking ban applies, for example through physical and communication measures?
  • Is it clearly visible that a smoking ban applies on the grounds, for example as indicated by signs and tiles?
  • Does the educational institution ensure that the grounds remain smoke-free? In other words, is active action taken when someone smokes (enforcement of the smoking ban)? What agreements have been made about this (policy), and what happens in practice?

The inspector carries out the inspection in accordance with the RIVM guidelines for COVID-19 that apply at that time. If, during an inspection, the NVWA inspector finds that the smoking ban on the school grounds has not been established, indicated or enforced, or has been insufficiently established, indicated or enforced, this constitutes an offence. A written warning is issued for a first offence. At a later stage (usually within three months), a re-inspection is carried out to determine whether the offence has been remedied. In the event of a repeated offence, the NVWA imposes an administrative fine, starting at €600. If you subsequently commit offences more frequently, the fine may rise to €4,500 per offence. The intervention is aimed at the manager of the building or establishment.