Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol and Drugs Policy
Aprroved by: Principal
Date of Review: August 2026
Page Contents
Rationale, Purpose
Rationale
We adhere to the law in relation to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes at school. (Please note, at TC smoking includes being in the presence of smokers or vapers). TC, under the guidance of the College Council, has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and illicit drugs as described in the DPCSA (Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act). This policy relates to the possession, use or supply of these substances. In line with DET, this policy is applicable for when students are on school premises both during and outside of regular school times, when travelling to and from school, when at any TC events and/or camps.
By enrolling at TC, all parents/carers and students accept this zero-tolerance policy.
Purpose
To address the society issue of smoking and vaping as it impacts on the College personnel and environment.
To address the regulations applied to TC in regard to alcohol supply and consumption by students.
To address the requirements of the law as applied to TC as an institution and workplace.
To make available the policy and practices which will be followed to ensure that TC is a smoke-, vape-, illicit drug- and alcohol-free environment.
Policy
Guidelines for Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol
Smoking and vaping
TC is required by law to be a cigarette- and vape-free institution. This applies to all staff, students and visitors to the College. The use of smoking products is a health issue affecting all members of the College. Please note that it is illegal for anyone to smoke or vape on school grounds and/or within 4m of the school property.
Students are not permitted to possess, supply or use tobacco and/or nicotine products or other smoking paraphernalia (including eCigarettes or vaping paraphernalia and lighters) anywhere in the College environment, at school events or whilst travelling to and from school.
Students who are found in the company of smokers and/or vapers will be covered under the provisions of this policy as they are both seen to be condoning smoking and/or vaping at TC and are at risk of secondary smoke and vape effects.
Support for giving up smoking and/or vaping will underpin the implementation of this policy. If at any stage a student or parent/carer is seeking education around the health risks of smoking and/or vaping or information regarding ‘quit’ techniques, the Community Executive Team (CET) should be contacted. The expertise of the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team (SWS) can be used to further inform and counsel students of the harm caused by smoking and/or vaping.
All incidents will be recorded by CET on the student’s permanent record and will be treated cumulatively.
Alcohol
Any student who brings or consumes alcohol at school, or at any school organised activity during school hours or outside of school hours will be covered under the provision of this policy as will any student found in their company.
Any other alcohol consumption is covered by the Australian Law and by the Department of Education, whose policy can be found on their website.
Alcohol use applies differently to students during school hours, students over 18 after hours and adults. Students are not allowed to possess, supply or consume alcohol products anywhere in the college or at school events during or outside of school hours.
Support for giving up alcohol will underpin the implementation of this policy. If at any stage a student or parent/carer is seeking education around the risks of alcohol consumption, the Community Executive Team (CET) should be contacted. The expertise of the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team (SWS) can be used to further inform and counsel students of the possible harms of alcohol products.
All incidents will be recorded by CET on the student’s permanent record and will be treated cumulatively.
Prescription drugs
Taking prescription drugs without a prescription is unlawful and use by students is prohibited while at school or at any school event or activity.
There are also serious health risks associated with the misuse of prescription drugs. This includes not following instructions or combining them with other medicines, drugs or alcohol.
For more information on medications including prescription and non-prescription medication, refer to the department's policy on Medication.
Duty of care
Staff members have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm. A reasonable step will generally include passing on information to the principal if the staff member has knowledge about unlawful alcohol or other drug use by students. This applies regardless of whether:
the use is confirmed, suspected or likely to occur
the use occurs on or outside school grounds
the staff member has knowledge of the drug used.
Note: Because they have a duty of care, staff cannot promise unconditional confidentiality to students.
Refer to the department’s Duty of Care policy for more general information.
Recommended Consequences for Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol
Recommended Consequences for Misuse of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs:
First aid implemented for the student
Poison’s hotline and/or 000 called as appropriate
Parent/Guardian to be informed
AOD resources and/or contacts of services provided to student and family
External support from CET and SWS teams as appropriate
Recommended consequences for students who are identified as smoking, vaping or consuming/supplying alcohol, or found in their company:
First Offence
Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class
Student to be placed in isolation
Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of alcohol, smoking and/or vaping products and paraphernalia
Confiscated items to be kept in school safe and collected by Parent/Guardian
Student to be interviewed
Parent/Guardian to be informed
Five days external suspension as per the DET Suspension Process
Smokers and vapers will be recommended to seek a recognised anti-smoking or anti-vaping program. Information available on online resources
Return to school meeting held with CET
Student record updated by CET
NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students.
Next and subsequent offences
Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class
Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of alcohol, smoking and/or vaping products and paraphernalia
Confiscated items to be kept in the school safe until collection by Parent/Guardian
Parents/Guardians to be informed
Meeting with the Principal to discuss future at the college
Potential Pre-expulsion meeting and/or 5 day suspension to be determined
Smokers and vapers will be recommended to seek a recognised anti-smoking and/or anti-vaping program
NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students.
Guidelines for Illicit Drugs
Any student who brings illicit drugs onto school property or partakes in the use of illicit drugs at school, or at any school organised activity during school hours or outside of school hours will be covered under the provision of this policy as will any student found in their company.
Any other illicit drug consumption is covered by the Australian Law and by the Department of Education, whose policy can be found on their website.
Recommended Consequences for Illicit Drugs
Recommended sanctions for students who are identified as being in possession of, using, carrying out the action of, or being in the company of those consuming/supplying illicit drugs (including simulated products):
First Offence
Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class
Student to be placed in isolation immediately
Health of student to be assessed. Emergency Services to be called if necessary.
Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of illicit drugs and/or paraphernalia
Should a student refuse a bag search or a locker search the Police will be called
Confiscated items to be kept in the School Safe until collection by Parent/Guardian
Police to be informed
Parents/Guardians to be informed
At an appropriate time, interview to be held with student/s
Meeting with a member of the Principal Class to discuss future at the college
Potential Pre-expulsion meeting and/or 5 day suspension to be determined
Recommendation to seek a recognised support program.
NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students.
Prevention
Students will develop knowledge and harm minimisation skills in relation to drug use as part of the ongoing drug-related curriculum program, for example, as part of PE/Health curriculum and Wellbeing prevention programs.
TC will inform the community via Next Week @ TC of any parent drug education information sessions in the area.
Drug education resources will be available for students, parents/guardians and staff via the Community Executive Teams, the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team, and the First Aid.
Communication of this policy
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
Available publicly on our school’s website
Included in staff induction processes and staff training
Included in transition correspondence to new families
Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required
Discussed at parent information nights/sessions
Annually referenced in Next Week @TC
Hard copy available from school administration upon request
Information and further resources
The Department’s Policy and Advisory Library (PAL):