Ky.gov
Effective: 01/08/2026

C12.26 Nicotine, Vapor Product (VAPE), and Substance Use Prevention

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​Use of substances, tobacco, and vapor products is a prevalent issue among adolescents, and especially among youth in out-of-home care (OOHC). In addition to being illegal, it is a serious health concern. Therefore, it is important to ensure that youth have been provided information and services geared toward preventing the use of tobacco products, vapes, and other substances.  ​​

Practice Guidance

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  • Family members of a youth committed to the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet/CHFS) are not permitted to purchase tobacco or vape products for the youth. 
  • Nicotine replacement products may be purchased (by the care provider and reimbursed) if recommended by the youth’s physician. 
  • If the child is in a placement that does not offer nicotine cessation services, they may participate in nicotine cessation services offered through their health insurance plan, local health departments, or their contracted agents at no cost.
  • Other resources to prevent smoking or vaping or to support youth to stop using nicotine products include:
    • Home | Smokefree Teen
    • E-Cigarettes & Vaping | American Lung Association
    • Protecting Youth From the Harms of Vaping | Smoking and Tobacco Use | CDC​​​​


Procedure

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The SSW:

  1. Utilizes the LYFT curriculum or other tools to provide information geared toward substance use prevention;
  2. Does not purchase tobacco or vape products for a child in OOHC; 
  3. Informs family member and caregivers that Kentucky law prohibits them from purchasing tobacco or vape products for use by a youth their care;
  4. Provides information to the youth and caregivers about utilizing cessation services or nicotine replacement products (if recommended by the youth's physician);
  5. Follows procedures in SOP C7.22.3 Standardized Screening and Assessment for Children in Out of Home Care​ to gather information about a youth's history of substance use and high-risk behaviors;
  6. Utilizes information from the standardized screening and assessment to determine the need for further services related to substance use;
  7. Refers for a substance use assessment for the youth any time there is an identified concern about the use of substances during their time in OOHC;
  8. Works in partnership with caregivers, therapists, and other service providers to help youth reduce and eventually eliminate their use of substances, including tobacco or vape products, and includes such efforts in the child/youth action plan section of the case plan.​


Documents

Revisions