Georgia schools and boards of education; adopt evidence-based discipline policies and procedures to address the public health crisis of student vape and e-cigarette use; urge
Summary
House Resolution 1829 is a nonbinding resolution urging Georgia schools and local boards of education to adopt evidence-based discipline policies for student vaping and e-cigarette use. The resolution frames youth vaping as a public health crisis, citing high rates of use among Georgia high school students and describing the health risks of nicotine addiction, respiratory illness, asthma, ADHD, behavioral problems, and withdrawal symptoms. It argues that punitive school discipline, especially long suspensions and expulsions, can worsen educational outcomes and long-term social harms.
Rather than relying on zero-tolerance discipline, the resolution encourages schools to use alternative-to-suspension programs that combine education, cessation support, and behavioral health services. It specifically references state and nonprofit resources such as the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Opt-Out Live Vape Free Program, the Tobacco-Free Schools Toolkit, the American Lung Association’s INDEPTH and N-O-T programs, and behavioral health services through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The resolution’s goal is to keep students in school while addressing nicotine dependence and reducing vaping behavior.
Impact
Because HR 1829 is a House resolution, it does not change Georgia statutes or create enforceable legal requirements. Its practical impact is advisory: it seeks to influence school discipline practices and encourage districts and boards of education to replace or supplement suspension and expulsion with evidence-based intervention programs for vaping incidents. The resolution could affect how schools respond to student vaping, but any actual policy changes would depend on local school board action, administrative guidance, or future legislation.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment of the resolution is strongly supportive of a health-focused, intervention-oriented response to student vaping. The bill text presents vaping as a serious youth health and education issue and emphasizes that schools should help students quit rather than simply punish them. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no recorded opposition or amendment debate in the provided materials.
Contention
The main point of contention reflected in the resolution is the rejection of zero-tolerance discipline approaches in favor of alternative-to-suspension programs. Supporters of the resolution’s approach would likely include public health advocates, educators concerned about absenteeism and graduation outcomes, and organizations promoting cessation support. Potential critics would be those who favor stricter discipline, worry about school safety and enforcement consistency, or question whether alternative programs are sufficiently effective or scalable across districts.
To Create The Arkansas Healthy Lifestyle Education Act Of 2025; And To Ensure The Health Curriculum In Arkansas Public Schools Addresses Certain Health Issues Facing Students.
Relating to the operation near a public or private primary or secondary school of a retail establishment selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping apparatuses, or tobacco products; creating a criminal offense.
Prohibits school districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting policies that bar military members or veterans from addressing students.
Prohibits school districts and public institutions of higher education from adopting policies that bar military members or veterans from addressing students.