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• Last of N.C. schools adopt no tobacco policies 

The last handful of North Carolina's school districts have adopted broad no-smoking policies in recent weeks - falling in line with the rest of the state's school systems in a move that supporters see as proof the state is shedding some of its loyalty to tobacco.

Now all 115 North Carolina school districts have adopted anti-tobacco policies which stretch beyond school grounds to off-campus events. School districts had until Aug. 1 to adopt policies that forbid smoking and tobacco use by students, teachers, family members and visitors. That means coaches will no longer be able to smoke at games and schools no longer can have designated smoking areas for faculty members.

"Adults, especially on school grounds, are seen as role models for young people, and so it was important for adults to be role models for young people throughout the school day," said Mark Ezzell, director of the state's Tobacco-Free Schools Program which helped school districts craft their plans.

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