With a first offense of testing positive for nicotine, the athlete's parents will be informed, Swann said. For a second offense, the student will have to participate in a tobacco education program. Three times, and he or she will be forced to miss 25 percent of their athletic events. Testing positive for the other 11 illegal drugs and alcohol will carry stiffer penalties, Swann said. As yet, no tests have been conducted, but they could begin any day.
Tobacco companies say they applaud programs to curtail underage smoking.
We support minimum-age smoking laws that are already on the books in all 50 states. The American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes drug testing in general, has come out against nicotine testing, questioning where such chemical testing will end. And the answer is, 'Because you are role models. Because you get a little more attention than other students. Two other Alabama school systems, in Lee and Autauga counties, have just begun voluntary nicotine testing for all students, not just athletes, giving out identification cards that offer merchandise discounts for students who are smoke-free, said Diane Beeson, director of the tobacco prevention and control branch for the Alabama Department of Public Health.