Find information on our policies on illicit drugs, alcohol and smoking at school.
Key information
Drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping are not allowed in schools or at school events where students are present.
Tasmanian government schools teach your child about the harm caused by drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping.
Making sure children are safe is the shared responsibility of community, parents, schools and students.
Illicit drugs
Drug use, possession or distribution is not tolerated in Tasmanian government schools.
Tasmania Police will be called if there is a drug-related incident.
Students are taught about the dangers of illicit drugs.
There is support for students affected by any drug-related incidents.
Alcohol
No student is allowed to have, or to drink alcohol at school or on any school camp or excursion – including at socials or end-of-year dinners.
Students, regardless of age, are not allowed on school premises under the influence of alcohol.
Even if a student is 18 years old, they may not have, or drink alcohol at school.
Smoking (tobacco and electronic cigarettes/vapes)
e-cigarettes (vapes) are treated the same as tobacco cigarettes under Tasmanian law.
It is illegal for a person under 18 years of age to smoke/vape.
Students who are 18 years or over are not permitted to smoke/vape while on school or senior secondary school grounds.
In Tasmania, smoking is illegal within 10 metres of schools playgrounds, on playing fields and sports grounds and all Tasmanian government buildings and vehicles.
It is also illegal for anyone (even adults) to use, buy or sell nicotine containing e-cigarettes in Australia without a prescription.
Staff, parents, carers, volunteers and fundraising activities
Staff, parents, carers and volunteers must not use illicit drugs, smoke/vape or drink alcohol while on school grounds or on any school excursion, camp or school related activity.
Consumption of alcohol may be permitted by the principal on social and fundraising occasions involving staff and parents provided that very strict guidelines are met such as:
the function is not during normal school hours
during the planning phase the views of parents around the provision of alcohol are sought
all proper licences and certificates are obtained
the provision of alcohol has been approved as required by the department.
