“Since the consumption of nicotine-containing products is, of course, not permitted for our students and is absolutely harmful to health, I am exercising our right to establish internal regulations. From this moment on, bringing and using any toothpicks in school is prohibited,” explained Harald Kraus, acting principal of the Carl-von-Linde Municipal Realschule in the Schwanthalerhöhe district, in a letter to parents obtained by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Toothpick Ban Implemented at Munich School
The problem lies in the fact that it is impossible for teachers to distinguish between ordinary toothpicks and those containing nicotine at a glance. This trend has been observed particularly often among seventh-grade students, but it is not limited to this age group. In addition to nicotine toothpicks, varieties soaked in various flavorings are also circulating among teenagers.
Munich City School Councillor Florian Kraus supported the educational institution’s decision. “Nicotine addiction develops quickly, regardless of the method of consumption. With this ban, the school principal aims to protect children from developing addictions,” he emphasized. The school administration also intends to use these restrictive measures to prevent the further spread of this trend.
Parents Advised to Remain Vigilant
According to the Munich Department of Education, the letter was sent to families in late October. In it, Principal Kraus urged parents to check whether their children possessed such products. Addressing the students, he clarified: “Even if such fads seem supposedly ‘cool,’ they actually are not.”
Teachers have also been instructed to be particularly vigilant. “Addictive substances have no place in our school, and this includes nicotine toothpicks,” Kraus confirmed in response to an inquiry. He explained unequivocally: “There are no exceptions. The ban is clear and mandatory for everyone.”
Source: dpa
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