The Loudoun County School Board on Tuesday broadened its ban on smoking to include outdoor athletic events on school property.

The new restrictions, which will begin with the 2000-2001 school year, will apply to anyone sitting in the bleachers or standing on the sidelines, school officials said. The district's no-smoking policy already prohibits smoking inside school buildings and prevents coaches from lighting up at sports events. Efforts to expand the policy began in May, when a group of athletic directors, coaches and principals raised the issue with several board members. They said student athletes had complained about smelling and inhaling cigarette smoke. The current policy states that any student athlete caught using or possessing tobacco products will be removed from the team. Some school officials said the district was sending a mixed message by not holding the public to a similar standard. The changes to the smoking ban do not further restrict teachers who smoke. They must leave the school building for a designated smoking area on campus.

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