Panther Valley School Board on Thursday approved the first reading of a policy that forbids the use of electronic cigarettes on school property.

The policy is a revision to a section of the school rules which govern pupils and tobacco use. The entire school district campus is designated as a nonsmoking area.A second reading must occur before the policy takes effect. That could happen at the board's next meeting on Sept. 25.Last month, board member Anthony DeMarco reported that smokeless cigarettes were observed in use at the "Meet the Panthers Night."The present policy, which doesn't address smokeless cigarettes, states, "For purposes of this policy, tobacco use shall be defined as use and/or possession of a lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar and pipe; other lighted smoking product; and smokeless tobacco in any form."The new policy will address, besides electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapor cigarettes, as well as look-alike items on school property and at our events.The Federal Food and Drug Administration says, "Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor and other chemicals.They turn chemicals, including highly addictive nicotine, into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user."