The Cumberland County School Board voted on March 13 to formally adopt the 24/7 Campaign — a comprehensive policy prohibiting tobacco and e-cigarettes from public schools.

According to a press release from the 24/7 campaign, the new policy prohibits possession of any tobacco product by minors, requires visitors to refrain from tobacco use and removes designated smoking areas from all school properties.

The school division is one of 27 across the state with the 100 percent comprehensive tobacco and e-cigarette free policy.

“We are excited about joining the 24/7 Virginia Campaign,” said Dr. Amy Griffin, division superintendent of Cumberland County Public Schools. “Cumberland County Public Schools has been a tobacco-free campus for a decade, however, specific policies addressing varying tobacco use with all stakeholders were added in 2014. We recognize that the use of tobacco products is a health, safety and environmental hazard and that adults serve as role models for our students.”

Officials said in the release the campaign has provided all schools with free signs displaying the new tobacco-free regulations and a toolkit to support the division in implementing and enforcing the new policy.

According to the release, the campaign was initiated by Y Street, Virginia’s largest youth-led movement and a program of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.

“Y Street’s 24/7 campaign helps Virginia school divisions adopt, implement and enforce 100 percent comprehensive tobacco-free policies, like the one adopted by Cumberland County schools,” officials with Y Street said.