In schools increased responsibility for bad habits: what penalties expect parents

In Ukraine, schools are officially recognized as areas free from tobacco smoke and nicotine. According to the new Law No. 2899, not only cigarettes, but also electronic cigarettes, hookahs, and tobacco heating devices are prohibited. But, despite such prohibitions, teenagers often cannot refrain from temptation, and this can lead to consequences not only for smokers themselves.

The principal can impose the first punishment. If smoking is recorded on the territory of the educational institution, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection may impose a fine of 1000 UAH. If such a disorder occurs during the year, the fine increases to 10 thousand hryvnias. Therefore, the head of the educational institution is responsible for the discipline of students at the school.

Adults who smoke in the school can receive penalties of 51 to 170 hryvnias or a warning from the police. These are minimal sanctions that are also officially fixed.

For minors, sanctions are generally softer: they may include an apology, reprimand, warning, or even transfer to parents or educators. However, parents are also fined, as they are threatened with a punishment of 850 to 1700 hryvnias if their children smoke. In cases of repeated violations or improper performance of upbringing duties, this amount can reach UAH 5,100.

Thus, responsibility is cascaded in nature: the child smokes – pay the director, parents, and the school itself receives a negative reputation. The legislation seeks to create an environment free from bad habits in educational institutions.