Guam DOE: Police to respond to all school-campus incidents involving minors and nicotine products

Key points

• GDOE says nicotine violations are now included in behaviors requiring mandatory contact with GPD under SOP 1200-018

• GPD officers will confiscate tobacco products/devices, document incidents, issue a Juvenile Section notice to appear, and forward cases to the Attorney General’s office

• GDOE says GPD will respond to all calls involving minors using or possessing nicotine products on public school campuses

• The change follows an increase in school nicotine/vaping violations

• GDOE links the step to guidance from the GPD chief and enforcement of the Youth Protection Act of 2017 (Public Law 34-01)

• Process: parent/guardian is contacted and required to report to the school; upon confirmation, GDOE initiates a Call for Service

2Firsts, January 15, 2026 – According to the Guam Department of Education, police officers will now help handle incidents involving minor students vaping or using tobacco products on public school campuses, and the cases could be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General.

GDOE said nicotine violations are now included among behaviors requiring mandatory contact with the Guam Police Department (GPD) under GDOE Student Discipline SOP 1200-018. Under the updated approach, GPD officers will confiscate the tobacco and related devices, document the incident, issue a notice to appear to the Juvenile Section, and forward the case to the Attorney General’s office.

GDOE said a recent increase in nicotine and vaping violations in schools prompted the notification to students, parents and guardians that GPD will now respond to all calls for service involving minors using or possessing nicotine products on school campuses.

GDOE said the move follows guidance issued by the chief of GPD after school administrators presented data demonstrating the chronic nature of vaping violations among students and the need for enforcement of the Youth Protection Act of 2017 (Public Law 34-01).

“Effective immediately, when a student is adjudicated by school administration and found in violation of GDOE policy, the student’s parent or guardian will be contacted and required to report to the school. Upon confirmation, GDOE will initiate a Call for Service,” the department said.

GDOE also urged parents and guardians to discuss the health risks and legal consequences of vaping and nicotine use with their children.

Image source: Pacific Daily News