Students will present their proposal to county commissioners Nov. 2 after receiving encouragement from school board members

By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — John A. Holmes High School students are taking their efforts to reduce tobacco exposure beyond the classroom and into local government, asking Chowan County officials to consider expanding tobacco-free protections on public property.

The students presented their research and recommendations to the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education on Oct. 20. They are scheduled to address the Chowan County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 2.

Working with Albemarle Regional Health Services, the students examined the dangers of tobacco use, secondhand smoke and vaping, along with policies other North Carolina communities have adopted to limit tobacco exposure in public spaces.

Their proposal focuses on expanding tobacco-free protections to county-owned grounds, parks and recreational areas where residents, including children and families, may be exposed to tobacco smoke or electronic cigarette emissions.

The presentation was designed not only to explain the health risks but also to demonstrate how local governments can take steps to reduce exposure.

Students examine health risks

The students discussed the effects of tobacco use on the body, including increased risks of lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.

They also explained the differences between secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposes people nearby to chemicals released when tobacco products are smoked, while thirdhand smoke refers to residues that remain on clothing, furniture and other surfaces.

The presentation addressed electronic cigarettes and vaping, including the risks nicotine poses to developing brains and the potential effects on attention, memory and learning.

Students referenced findings from the North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey, which monitors tobacco and nicotine use among middle and high school students.

They also drew on the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment to connect tobacco prevention with health concerns in Chowan County, including cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.

The presentation included personal experiences illustrating the consequences of tobacco use.

One student described losing her great-grandfather to a smoking-related illness at age 57. His death influenced her mother, who was 14 at the time, to avoid smoking and encourage her children to do the same.

The students emphasized that tobacco exposure affects more than the people who choose to use tobacco products.

Proposal targets public grounds

The group explained the difference between smoke-free and tobacco-free policies.

Smoke-free rules generally prohibit smoking, while broader tobacco-free policies can also restrict smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes.

The students identified government-owned grounds, public parks and recreational facilities as locations where additional protections could be considered.

They pointed to policies in other North Carolina communities, including Gates County and Raleigh, as examples of local approaches to limiting tobacco exposure in public areas.

Their recommendations also addressed implementation, including public education, signage and access to resources for people who want to stop using tobacco.

Rather than focusing exclusively on enforcement, the students discussed the importance of helping residents understand the reasons for tobacco-free policies and encouraging voluntary compliance.

Board members encourage students

Following the presentation, school board member Sherronne Battle discussed a conversation she had with one of the students about the project.

Battle emphasized the importance of young people becoming involved in community decisions and encouraged the students to continue advocating for issues that affect their health and the health of others.

Other board members praised the students for researching the issue and preparing to present their findings to county officials.

During the discussion, a board member suggested that the students strengthen their case by including information about the financial costs associated with tobacco-related illnesses and the potential benefits of prevention.

Chowan County Commissioner Larry McLaughlin, who attended the meeting, was acknowledged during the presentation and discussion.

Later in the meeting, school board member Ricky Browder suggested that the board prepare a resolution expressing support for the students’ efforts before they appear before county commissioners.

Browder’s suggestion prompted discussion about how the board could communicate its support ahead of the Nov. 2 meeting.

Because the commissioners’ meeting falls before the school board’s next regular meeting, members discussed preparing a resolution and circulating it for consideration.

No formal resolution was adopted during the recorded open-session discussion.

County commissioners to hear proposal

The students are expected to present their findings and recommendations to the Chowan County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 2.

The commissioners would be responsible for considering any proposed changes affecting county-owned property.

The presentation offers students an opportunity to participate directly in local policymaking while addressing a public health issue that affects residents of all ages.

The tobacco-free initiative was one of several matters discussed during the Oct. 20 school board meeting. In a separate report, the Albemarle Observer examines ongoing construction repairs at the new John A. Holmes High School, including concerns about gymnasium floors, tennis courts, drainage and landscaping.