Ky.gov
Effective: 4/22/2025

C7.44 Use of Tobacco or Vape Products

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​Use of tobacco products and vapes is a prevalent issue among adolescents, and especially among youth in out-of-home care (OOHC). It is important to ensure that youth have been provided information geared toward preventing the use of tobacco products and vapes.  ​​​​​​​​​

Practice Guidance

  • Family members of a child 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 ma​y be purchased (by the care provider and reimbursed) and the SSW may seek assistance from the child’s physician. 
  • If the child is in a placement that does not offer nicotine cessation services, they may participate in nicotine cessation services offered by local health departments or their contracted agents at no cost.
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Procedure

The SSW:
  1. Does not purchase tobacco or vape products for a child in OOHC; 
  2. Informs non-relative caregivers (e.g., foster parents, private child care (PCC) providers) that Kentucky law prohibits them from purchasing tobacco or vape products for use by a child in their care; 
  3. Assists the child and his/her caregiver to eventually eliminate the child’s tobacco or vape use, and lists efforts on the child/youth action plan section of the case plan if a child who enters OOHC uses tobacco or vape products.

Documents

Revisions

​4/22/2025

  • Family members of a child 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 ma​y be purchased (by the care provider and reimbursed), and the SSW may seek assistance from the child’s physician. 
  • If the child is in a placement that does not offer nicotine smoking cessation services, they may participate in nicotine smoking cessation services offered by local health departments or their contracted agents at no cost.


  1. Does not purchase tobacco or vape products for a child in OOHC; 
  2. Informs non-relative caregivers (e.g., foster parents, private child care providers) that Kentucky law prohibits them from purchasing tobacco or vape products for use by a child in their care; 
  3. Assists the child and his/her caregiver in an attempt to eventually eliminate the child’s tobacco or vape use, and lists efforts on the child/youth action plan section of the case plan if a child who enters OOHC uses tobacco or vape products.