BACKGROUND-AIM:
While smoking is declining among Finnish adolescents, emerging tobacco and nicotine product use, such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes pose new challenges in vocational schools. The Nicotine-Free Vocational School Model, developed by the Cancer Society of Finland, is a comprehensive package of tools and methods aiming at strengthening nicotine prevention and health-enhancing school environment through school tobacco policy, staff training, cessation support, and multisectoral collaboration. Our study is part of the EU Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (2024–2027). Here we assess feasibility and practical implementation of the Model, including staffs’ readiness for implementation, and their awareness of school tobacco policies and guidelines.

METHODS:
Baseline surveys were conducted in one vocational school with four campuses (management n=9; staff n=78; students n=215), assessing school policy and guideline awareness, support needs and observations of nicotine use. Follow-up surveys are ongoing and the final follow-up data will be collected in autumn 2026.

RESULTS:
Baseline data indicated strong support for nicotine-free school policies. All management respondents (9/9) and the majority of other staff (68/78) reported commitment to promoting a nicotine-free school environment, and nearly all were aware of the school’s guidelines (management 9/9; staff 62/78). However, gaps between policy and practice were observed: among staff, 57% reported that intervening in students’ nicotine use was difficult, mainly due to unclear or insufficient guidelines (39%), not knowing the student (39%), lack of time (31%), limited support from management (24%) and concerns about being perceived as the “tobacco police” (23%). Among students, 67% reported observing students using nicotine products in indoor school areas, and 87% observed use outdoors on school premises. Additionally, 38% observed staff using nicotine products outdoors. Only 33% of students indicated that staff intervened in students’ nicotine use, and 26% reported that no consequences followed when students had been caught.

CONCLUSIONS:
The findings indicate that while commitment to promoting a nicotine-free school environment is high among management and staff, there are gaps between policy and practice. Staff encounter challenges in addressing students’ nicotine use due to unclear guidelines, limited time, and concerns about enforcement. Students observe frequent use of nicotine products on school premises, with limited staff intervention and infrequent consequences. These results highlight the need for strengthened implementation, including clearer communication of school policies and defined responsibilities. Ongoing follow-up and evaluation will provide further evidence to inform broader national adoption and refinement of the Nicotine-Free Vocational School Model.